Agency(Hyderabad, Telangana): In a heated exchange in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, BJP candidate Madhavi Latha accused AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi and his brother, MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi, of “poisoning people’s minds” with their political rhetoric. Speaking to the media in Hyderabad, Latha argued that the Owaisi brothers’ leadership was detrimental to their community, contrasting their approach with the inclusive policies of PM Narendra Modi.
Latha highlighted the central government’s schemes, emphasizing that they do not discriminate on the basis of religion. She criticized the Owaisis for allegedly not supporting Indian Muslims adequately while accusing them of promoting the migration of individuals from Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The BJP candidate also responded to criticisms from Asaduddin Owaisi, who had earlier accused her of disrupting the peace between Hindu and Muslim communities in Hyderabad. Owaisi’s comments referred to an incident where Latha was seen making a controversial gesture towards a mosque, which she later defended as misunderstood. She reiterated her commitment to the Muslim community by citing her participation in a Ramzan procession and distribution of food, questioning how her actions could be construed as anti-Muslim.
Amidst these exchanges, a local resident lodged a formal complaint against Latha over her gesture, which continues to stir controversy as the city heads towards the polls scheduled for May 17. Latha, who recently visited the Bhagyalakshmi Temple to offer prayers before her nomination, remains firm in her stance, asserting that her candidacy represents healing and reconciliation, not division.