New Delhi, March 25 AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday alleged that the government has been "caught off guard" in handling the "energy crisis" amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, as it failed to build adequate strategic petroleum reserves.
The Hyderabad MP said that India is facing shortages of key fuels and fertilizers, and warned that prices of petrol and diesel will rise after the upcoming Assembly elections.
"India is facing a severe energy crisis amid the war in West Asia, and the ruling government has been caught off guard and is unable to handle the situation," he claimed, speaking at a TV9 Network event.
Owaisi alleged that the BJP-led government did not create sufficient strategic petroleum reserves despite being in power for 11 years.
"Today, we are facing a crisis with urea, LPG, gas, and crude oil. After the Assembly elections, the prices of petrol and diesel will be increased," he said, adding that small vendors are bearing the brunt of the situation.
He also questioned India's oil import policy and alleged external influence in decision-making.
"Why is the US deciding our oil imports? Why is India begging the US and seeking Trump's approval to buy Russian oil? Where has our self-respect gone?" he asked.
Owaisi claimed that vessels from China and Russia are passing through the Strait of Hormuz without difficulty, while India had to seek Iran's intervention for the passage of its ships, which, he claimed, are still insufficient to meet domestic demand.
On political developments, Owaisi said the tie-up between AIMIM and Humayun Kabir's Aam Janata Unnayan Party has intensified the electoral contest in parts of West Bengal, including Malda, Murshidabad, and Birbhum.
He said that issues such as arsenic contamination in drinking water in Murshidabad require urgent attention.
Owaisi also criticised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of making statements that promote division between communities.
He alleged that Sarma circulated a "violent video" depicting "shooting Muslims" and questioned its appropriateness, claiming such acts could create an atmosphere of fear among Muslims.
The AIMIM leader raised concerns over the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Assam, noting that around 20 lakh people were excluded from the list.
He claimed that a majority of those left out were non-Muslims and questioned the basis for identifying "infiltrators".
He also criticised the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), alleging that it discriminates on religious grounds by granting citizenship to non-Muslims.
Responding to allegations related to an iftar gathering on a boat in Varanasi and claims of chicken biryani waste being dumped into the Ganga, Owaisi said that untreated sewage flowing into the river is a larger concern.
"Doesn't sewage finding its way into the river Ganga hurt religious sentiments and cause outrage?" he said, adding that many cruises and the waste released from them also pollute the river.
He alleged discrimination against Muslims. "The Constitution must be upheld...This country has no (official) religion. But the ruling party has turned nationalism into Hindu nationalism," Owaisi claimed, adding that he does not need a certificate to prove that he is an Indian.