It's double whammy for the MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi. His balancing act through which he would adopt a nationalist posture on one hand and let his minions do the tough-talking seems to be coming unstuck. Two incidents in just one week have brought the party into the focus and forced its leaders do a lot of explaining.
Firstly, his former MP Waris Pathan's statement that the 15 crore Muslims are strong enough for 100 crore Hindus has created huge problems for him. This has helped in Hindu polarisation in Maharashtra and has pushed the MIM onto the backfoot. This has given much needed ammunition for the BJP and the Maharashtra Nava Nirman Sena. Both organised rallies and mock funeral processions. The MIM was forced to seen an explanation from Waris Pathan. At the same time, 19-year-old Amulya Leona's "pro-Pakistan" chants at a meeting in which Asaduddin Owaisi was the chief speaker, have also put the MIM on the dock. Though Asaduddin tried to shift the blame on the organiser and said that he would live and die for India, the damage was done. Now, Owaisi is being seen as a weak leader, who could not guide his ilk in the right way.
With both the incidents putting the MIM on the backfoot, Owaisi is now a troubled man. He is now said to be looking to contain the damage made by these two incidents. He is now said to be telling his supporters to be careful to avoid such gaffes in future.
Firstly, his former MP Waris Pathan's statement that the 15 crore Muslims are strong enough for 100 crore Hindus has created huge problems for him. This has helped in Hindu polarisation in Maharashtra and has pushed the MIM onto the backfoot. This has given much needed ammunition for the BJP and the Maharashtra Nava Nirman Sena. Both organised rallies and mock funeral processions. The MIM was forced to seen an explanation from Waris Pathan. At the same time, 19-year-old Amulya Leona's "pro-Pakistan" chants at a meeting in which Asaduddin Owaisi was the chief speaker, have also put the MIM on the dock. Though Asaduddin tried to shift the blame on the organiser and said that he would live and die for India, the damage was done. Now, Owaisi is being seen as a weak leader, who could not guide his ilk in the right way.
With both the incidents putting the MIM on the backfoot, Owaisi is now a troubled man. He is now said to be looking to contain the damage made by these two incidents. He is now said to be telling his supporters to be careful to avoid such gaffes in future.