BJP candidate Madhavi Latha filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against AIMIM chief and Hyderabad AIMIM candidate Asaduddin Owaisi. The complaint alleges that Owaisi expressed support for beef consumption. This complaint stems from a video circulating on social media showing Owaisi interacting with a butcher during his campaign in the Old City area of Hyderabad.
In the video, Owaisi greets the owner of a beef shop, saying, “Rehan beef shop zindabad.” He then exchanges pleasantries with the shop’s owners before bidding them farewell with the words, “Kaat te raho (keep slaughtering)” These remarks were perceived as an open endorsement of beef consumption, conflicting with the sentiments of certain segments of the community.
Owaisi’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from BJP leaders. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharama commented, “His (Asaduddin Owaisi’s) political statements are always indecent. I am not surprised that he passed such a statement.”
Meanwhile, an FIR was filed against BJP’s Hyderabad Lok Sabha candidate Kompella Madhavi Latha on Sunday. The FIR stems from a video that went viral on social media, showing Latha directing an imaginary arrow at a mosque during a Ram Navami procession. In the viral video, Madhavi Latha is seen stretching her arms into a position like drawing an arrow and directing it at a mosque covered with a white cloth.
Asaduddin Owaisi is contesting for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Hyderabad, a seat he has represented since 2004. Telangana, with 17 parliamentary constituencies, will go to polls on May 17.
