CHENNAI/HYDERABAD: A day after calling All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi to its minority wing conference scheduled in Chennai on Wednesday, the DMK withdrew the invitation following pressure from its Muslim allies and some other religious groups.
The AIMIM leader, a source said, was upset over the DMK’s flip-flop, especially since he had cancelled another meeting in Uttar Pradesh to attend the DMK conference. When contacted, Owaisi refused to comment, but said, “I don’t speak bad about people who come to me as guests.”
AIMIM sources said the meeting between Owaisi and DMK minority wing secretary Masthan at the former’s Hyderabad residence lasted 10 minutes on Friday. AIMIM Tamil Nadu president Vakeel Ahmed was also present at the meeting. As DMK’s allies IUML and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) protested, Masthan denied having met Owaisi. This, even as a video – in TOI’s possession – showed Mastan and two leaders having a conversation with the AIMIM chief over a cup of tea.
The DMK kept silent over the video circulated on social media.
A source told TOI that the DMK deputed one of its senior leaders to explain to Owaisi the circumstances that forced the party to withdraw the invitation. “It was an embarrassment,” said the source. “Channels of communication for a possible electoral alliance between the two parties, however, remain open,” the source added.
Muslim groups in TN feel AIMIM’s inclusion in the DMK-led front would eat into their seat share. “Owaisi has no base in Tamil Nadu. Neither him nor his state unit has voiced for the cause of Tamils,” said an MMK leader seeking anonymity. In the 2016 assembly election, the AIMIM contested in two seats – Vaniyambadi and Krishnagiri – in Tamil Nadu and got 10,289 votes.
An AIMIM source said the party has plans to contest in more seats if the alliance with the DMK does not work out. A Majlis leader from Tamil Nadu said they are planning to contest 25-30 seats. “Krishnagiri, Vellore, Madurai and Tirupattur are some of the constituencies where we are strong,” he said. It may be recalled the party had entered the fray from Vaniyambadi assembly segment in the last election.
Meanwhile, party leaders denied reports of the AIMIM joining hands with actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam. “But we cannot rule out any possibilities,” a party leader said.