Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 4: Congress leader Udit Raj on Friday said AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi’s support for Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy reflected regional political equations and should not be viewed as an indication of any change at the national level.
Owaisi had said that his support was not for the Congress party but for Revanth Reddy. He also suggested that the Telangana Chief Minister should govern in his own style and reach out to the people, while expressing his desire to see Hyderabad and Telangana develop under Reddy’s leadership.
Speaking to IANS, Udit Raj said such political arrangements were part of regional politics.
“That is regional politics; it is in Telangana. Political equations keep being made and broken, but not at the national level. Many times, regional equations are formed,” he said.
“If, to stop fascist forces and the RSS and the BJP, Revanth Reddy has made a local arrangement there, that is a different matter. But at the national level, there is no talk, nor should there be, because we know how they work towards polarisation,” Udit Raj said.
Udit Raj opposes mandatory HIV certificate
Reacting to the controversy over a call for mandatory HIV testing of couples before marriage, Udit Raj said awareness should instead be created so that people voluntarily undergo testing.
The demand was made by K. Thomas, clergy trustee of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, during a family meet organised by the church on August 30. The event was attended by at least 1,000 people.
Thomas had expressed his desire to see HIV testing introduced before marriages conducted under the Mar Thoma Church.
Udit Raj said an advisory could be issued encouraging couples to undergo testing, but making a certificate compulsory would be inappropriate.
“Awareness should be spread so that this is tested, and people will do it themselves. HIV is not incurable anymore; it can be prevented. So, an advisory can be issued, but any compulsory requirement by the church that taking a certificate is mandatory is wrong,” he said.
“Yes, an advisory can be issued. We can also issue advisories, and doctors also advise everyone that this is a very dangerous disease, so one should remain cautious about it,” he added.