‘Descendant of Razakars’: Devendra Fadnavis vs Asaduddin Owaisi over ‘vote-jihad’ in Maharashtra

There have been some sharp exchanges between BJP's Devendra Fadnavis and AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi on 'vote jihad' in Maharashtra.

The war of words between Bharatiya Janata Party’s Devendra Fadnavis and Asaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM escalated to Monday with the former referring to the latter as a “descendant of Razakars who tortured people of Marathwada”.

The remark by Fadnavis, who serves as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, came a day after Owaisi took him on over his “vote jihad” remarks and said that while his ancestors were “waging jihad against the British Raj”, those of Fadnavis were “writing them love letters”.

"They are descendants of 'Razakars'. The 'Razakars' tortured the people of Marathwada, looted their lands, tried to rape women, and destroyed families. How can they talk to us?" Fadnavis said in Nagpur on Monday.

The Razakars, a paramilitary force in the Hyderabad princely state of British India, was created to maintain the rule of Nizams after Independence. They were crushed by the Indian forces and were disbanded after Hyderabad was assimilated into India.

On Saturday, Fadnavis had said that “vote jihad” had started in Maharashtra where elections are due to be held on November 20. The BJP leader had earlier said that ‘vote jihad’ was responsible for the BJP’s loss in some seats in the state during the general elections held earlier this year.

"Our ancestors did jihad against Britishers and Fadnavis is now teaching us about jihad. (PM) Narendra Modi, (Union minister) Amit Shah, and Devendra Fadnavis together cannot defeat me in a debate," Owaisi said responding to Fadnavis.

"From where did ‘vote jihad and dharmayuddha’ come in democracy? You purchased MLAs; should we call you a thief?" the Hyderabad MP questioned. He said his ancestors waged jihad against the British, and not those of Fadnavis.

“Our ancestors did jihad against the British, not yours. Fadnavis, whose ancestors were writing love letters to the British, will teach us jihad?” he further asked.

Polling for the Maharashtra Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on November 20 while the results will be declared on November 23. The term of the current Assembly ends on November 26.