Hyderabad

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday thanked the people of Maharashtra for electing 125 of his party’s candidates as corporators in various municipal corporations and said political parties that suffered defeats in the civic polls should engage in introspection.

Addressing a press conference here, the Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP said the poll outcome reflected the will of the people and dismissed allegations that AIMIM functions as the BJP’s “B team”.

“Those who abuse us should look within themselves. It is the decision of the people. There is a saying in English that victory has many fathers, but defeat has none. Why did they lose? Those leaders will have to answer that. As far as the voters’ list is concerned, it is correct,” Owaisi said in response to a question.

He also said the party has begun preparations for the upcoming municipal elections in Telangana and has already invited applications from interested candidates.

Replying to a query on the Thackeray cousins coming together, Owaisi said the election results speak for themselves. He pointed out that a candidate backed by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had won from the area where Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde resides.

“The verdict is before everyone. Our party has won and I am happy. I do not know about others,” he said.

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Owaisi expressed confidence that AIMIM’s newly elected corporators would remain loyal to the party, adding that adequate measures are being taken to keep the elected representatives united.