Overview
- Asaduddin Owaisi told a Solapur rally that the Indian Constitution allows any citizen to become Prime Minister and said he dreams of a hijab-clad daughter holding the post, contrasting India with Pakistan’s restrictions.
- BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla challenged Owaisi to first appoint a Pasmanda Muslim or a hijab-wearing woman as AIMIM president.
- Maharashtra minister Nitish Rane rejected the idea, saying a hijab- or burqa-wearing woman would not become Prime Minister or Mumbai mayor and telling such aspirants to go to Karachi.
- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said there is no constitutional bar on who can be PM but asserted his belief that India is a Hindu nation and the Prime Minister will always be Hindu.
- Owaisi also attacked UAPA amendments and cited the prolonged incarceration of undertrials Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, as the exchange fuels campaign messaging ahead of Mumbai’s January 15 civic polls.