MIM polarising people on communal lines: Venkaiah Naidu

Union minister Venkaiah Naidu today accused Asaduddin Owaisi of indulging into communal politics by appealing citizens to vote for MIM in forthcoming civic polls if they don't want ban on consumption of beef like in other states. "(Generally) what anybody (political leaders) say in elections? If we come to power, we will get piped water, roads (for people)...The party (MIM) is saying new things. Vote for us if you want beef. Beef for you (people) and development for us," Naidu said addressing a campaign meeting at Saidabad here in support of the BJP-TDP combine for the February 2 Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections. The senior BJP leader said he had no objection about people's culinary preferences. "I don't to get into what to be eaten. Except humans (flesh), everybody has the right to eat anything. Let them eat, no objection. But, the point is...they are trying to divide people on religion basis," he said. Naidu said the MIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) led by Owaisi should explain why the Old City area of Hyderabad remained backward. Pointing out that MIM is not in the fray from Saidabad ward, he alleged the party had a tacit understanding with others. "MIM is the major enemy to the development of Hyderabad," he said. Referring to some parties wooing Seemandhra natives who are called "settlers", Naidu said all those living in Hyderabad have equal rights. Addressing a public meeting here yesterday, Owaisi had said that a ban on consumption and sale of beef may be imposed in the city if MIM was not voted to power in the polls. "I am not trying to scare you. But, the fact is if we don't come to power, there may be a scope for ban on beef (in Hyderabad) on pretext of faith," he had said. Owaisi also said that such a ban will hit the poor and also beef traders hard as it happened in Maharashtra.