Accept cash from parties, use it for construction of toilets if you feel money is unethical, says Owaisi in Latur

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday sparked fresh political debate by telling voters at a public rally in Latur that they could accept money distributed by political parties during elections and use the same for the construction of toilets if they considered such cash unethical (haraam).Addressing the rally, Owaisi alleged that cash distribution among voters began only when his party, AIMIM, entered the electoral fray. "If we do not field candidates, money is not distributed at all. You can take the money, and if you believe it is haraam, use it to build toilets," he said.The AIMIM chief also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP for their alleged silence over comments attributed to US President Donald Trump, claiming that Trump said Modi takes decisions to please him. Owaisi said such statements raise serious concerns about India's foreign policy.Owaisi used the platform to mount a broad attack on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led govt, criticising its foreign policy, economic record, and social priorities. He claimed while BJP frequently speaks about nationalism, farmers continue to die by suicide and unemployment among youth remains high.Calling for stronger political representation among minorities, Owaisi said every community in the country has political power except Muslims. He added that Dalits and Muslims constitute a significant portion of the poor population, yet development failed to reach their localities. According to him, basic civic issues continue to plague these areas despite repeated promises by successive govts.Turning his attention to state politics, Owaisi alleged that Maharashtra govt's flagship Ladki Bahin scheme saw a gradual decline in beneficiaries.Owaisi launched a sharp attack on Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, questioning his political loyalty. He said if Pawar could not remain loyal to his uncle and mentor, Sharad Pawar, he could not be trusted to remain loyal to the people.On the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Owaisi alleged that the law is being misused to lock mosques and dispute ownership of centuries-old dargahs. He pointed out that while non-Muslims can be appointed to Muslim boards, Muslims are barred from Hindu trust boards.He also raised questions over the death of one of the accused in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case while in jail, alleging a lack of transparency. Targeting Congress, Owaisi said the party ruled Maharashtra and Latur for years, but failed to provide basic amenities, leaving minority areas facing water scarcity and monsoon waterlogging.