As the Bihar elections in India draw closer, political tensions have reached new heights, with accusations and counter-accusations fueling the campaign’s rhetoric.
Among the most prominent allegations is the claim of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the state, a charge raised by the BJP following a revision of voter rolls. This has now prompted a response from Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM).
At a recent election rally in Purnea, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted opposition parties, accusing Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of supporting “infiltrators” in Bihar, reports NDTV.
In response, Owaisi firmly rejected the allegations, saying on Thursday, “Modi ji claims there are Bangladeshis in Bihar. Let me assure you, there are no Bangladeshis here, especially in Seemanchal, where my party had a significant victory in the last elections.
“But you do have a sister from Bangladesh sitting in Delhi. Send her back to Bangladesh. Bring her to Seemanchal, and we will send her back to Bangladesh.”
The remark appeared to be a pointed jab at Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s deposed prime minister, who has been living in Delhi since fleeing Dhaka on 5 August 2019, just before an angry crowd of demonstrators stormed her residence following her resignation.
