Revanth Reddy uses Assembly floor to invite Owaisi to defect to Congress

HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy invited Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi to defect to the Congress party, offering him the position of Deputy Chief Minister. This proposal was firmly rejected by Owaisi, who stated that he is content with his current party.

During the budget discussion in the Assembly, a lively exchange took place between Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Akbaruddin Owaisi. Owaisi raised demands, including the immediate completion of the metro rail project in the old city.

In response, Chief Minister Reddy suggested that Owaisi resign from his Chandrayangutta Assembly seat and contest from the Kodangal Assembly constituency under the Congress party's banner. He assured Owaisi of victory and promised the Deputy Chief Minister position, along with a seat next to him in the Assembly. Revanth Reddy also offered to serve as Owaisi's chief election agent.

Rejecting the offer, Akbaruddin Owaisi reiterated his loyalty to the MIM party, stating that there is no question of him changing parties and that he will remain with the MIM until his last breath.

Interestingly, the Congress party has not given representation to any Muslim leader in the Revanth Reddy-led government and has given no indication of inducting a Muslim minister into the cabinet in the near future. In this scenario, Revanth Reddy offering the Deputy Chief Minister's post to MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi on the condition of defection is notable.

It may be mentioned that Revanth Reddy has so far engineered the defection of 10 BRS MLAs into the Congress. However, none of them has been given positions in the government or party. Furthermore, disqualification petitions have been filed against all of them.