Former BJP MLA Yatin Oza, who has now joined AAP, today claimed that BJP President Amit Shah and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi had “struck a deal” at a meeting ahead of Bihar Assembly polls to “polarise” votes in the Muslim-dominated northern belt. 

The allegations were denied by the BJP state unit. Seizing on Oza’s claims, AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted,

In a letter to Kejriwal on July 4, Oza claimed that he was also present at the meeting which he said was held “in the wee hours at Shah’s residence on September 15, 2015.” However, he did not clarify the place where the purported meeting took place. 

Oza claimed that it was decided in the meeting that “Owaisi will spew poisonous communal speech, the script of which shall be written by Amit Shah.” He further alleged that the recent statement by Owaisi to extend legal aid to suspected IS operatives held in Hyderabad also “appears to be part of the aforesaid strategy.” 

b’Asaduddin Owaisi/Source: PTI’

Speaking to media persons, Oza, a lawyer at Gujarat High Court, said, “I was present in the said meeting. A detailed discussion took place and it was agreed that Owaisi shall field his candidates in Bihar, particularly in Muslim belt that was to go to polls on November 5 (last phase). 

“It was decided in the meeting that Owaisi will vomit poisonous communal speech, the script of which shall be written by Amit Shah, which may have the potentiality to create communal divide in the society,” the letter said.

b’Amit Shah/Source: PTI’

The BJP dismissed Oza’s claim as nothing but “an exercise to seek media attention.” “Just like their leader Kejriwal, people who are either associated with AAP or wanting to join that party are known to do such drama. 

In the high-stake Bihar election, the JD(U)-RJD-Congress alliance secured 178 seats in the 243-member state Assembly whereas the BJP-led NDA could bag only 58 seats. AIMIM, which had contested in Seemanchal region in four districts of Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, Katihar, drew a blank.