In a fierce rebuttal to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s recent “vote jihad” remark, AIMIM leader and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi claimed that while his ancestors fought against British colonialism, Fadnavis’s ideological forebears were “writing love letters” to the British. Owaisi’s comments came on Sunday as Maharashtra gears up for its upcoming assembly elections, set for November 20, with vote counting on November 23.
On Saturday, Fadnavis alleged that a “vote jihad” campaign was underway in the poll-bound state, calling for a “dharma yuddha” or spiritual battle in response. This prompted Owaisi’s heated response, in which he questioned the Deputy CM’s stance and knowledge of history.
“Our ancestors did jihad against the British, while Fadnavis’s heroes were sending them love letters,” Owaisi said, accusing the BJP leader of misrepresenting historical resistance to British rule. He added, “Now Fadnavis is teaching us about jihad. But (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi, (Home Minister) Amit Shah, and Devendra Fadnavis together cannot defeat me in a debate.”
Owaisi suggested that Fadnavis’s use of terms like “vote jihad” and “dharma yuddha” could violate India’s election code, which prohibits statements that could incite religious polarization. “Where did ‘vote jihad and dharma yuddha’ come from in a democracy?” asked the Hyderabad MP. “When BJP fails to secure votes, they call it jihad. They lost in places like Ayodhya; what will they say about that?”
The AIMIM leader further challenged the BJP’s historical narrative by asserting that his forebears actively resisted colonialism. “Our freedom fighters never negotiated with foreign rulers, while those Fadnavis admires were cozying up to them,” he alleged.
With Maharashtra’s assembly elections approaching, tensions between the two parties have intensified, especially as BJP leaders highlight identity and religious narratives, while Owaisi and other opposition figures push back, accusing the BJP of divisive rhetoric.