Revanth Reddy calls AIMIM a friend, Shabbir Ali terms it BJP’s ‘B team’

Contradictory statements from Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and government advisor Shabbir Ali have exposed Congress’s internal differences over the AIMIM. While Revanth termed the party a “friend,” Shabbir accused it of aiding the BJP by splitting secular votes.

 Hyderabad: The Congress appears divided over its stance on AIMIM. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy described the AIMIM as a ‘friend’ while seeking its support for the Jubilee Hills by-election, even as Government Advisor Mohd Shabbir Ali accused the Hyderabad-based party of acting as the BJP’s ‘B team’.

Speaking at a rally in Erragadda on Saturday, Revanth Reddy said AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi had met him after the Congress formed the government, urging for the development of the Old City.

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“I have sanctioned Metro Rail to the Old City, constructed the Aram Garh flyover and provided other amenities. Whatever AIMIM is demanding, I am releasing funds accordingly,” he said.

In contrast, Shabbir Ali, who is campaigning for the Congress candidate Qamar Ul Huda in Bihar’s Kishanganj constituency, criticised AIMIM for allegedly helping the BJP.

“The AIMIM is acting as BJP’s B team in the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections by contesting from Muslim-dominated constituencies and splitting secular votes. Instead of strengthening secular forces, it is cutting into Muslim votes and helping the BJP,” he said.

He further pointed out that in the last Bihar Assembly elections, AIMIM had won four seats but indirectly helped the BJP gain an advantage in several constituencies.

The contradictory statements from the Chief Minister and the Government Advisor have left Congress leaders uneasy and drawn attention to the party’s ambiguous relationship with AIMIM. The remarks have also triggered criticism from various quarters.

An X user, LVV Rao, commented, “This is what we are saying, BJP and TDP are a team. AIMIM is BJP’s B team, MIM is Congress’s team, and Congress and TDP are a team. So in total, BJP, Congress, MIM and TDP are a team.”