Ruling Congress and opposition TDP condemn Owaisi's speech

The ruling Congress as well as the main opposition Telugu Desam Party condemned the inflammatory remarks of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi strongly on Wednesday and demanded stern action against him.

Congress MPs Palvai Govardhan Reddy and V Hanumantha Rao wanted the government to take a serious view of Akbar's hate speech made in Adilabad district a few days ago and bring him to book immediately.

"It is a crime to create acrimony between religions. The government should immediately bring Akbar to book," Palvai demanded.

The Rajya Sabha member found fault with chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy's statement that Akbar's inflammatory remarks were that of an individual.

Earlier during the day, the chief minister had said that "he (Akbar) made such the statement as an individual".

Hanumantha Rao, who spoke to media separately took strong exception to Akbar's remarks and said such outbursts should not be tolerated.

TDP spokesperson Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy too demanded that the government act against Akbar, the floor leader of MIM in the Andhra Pradesh assembly, for seeking to spread hatred among communities.

"The MIM and the YSR Congress are trying to stir up religious passions. The government should crackdown on such elements and protect communal harmony," the TDP leader said.