New Delhi, June 1: A war of words broke out between the newly- appointed Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi after the former linked Hyderabad city with terrorism. Describing Hyderabad as a safe zone for terror, Kishan Reddy said people from Myanmar and Bangladesh were staying in the Old City illegally.

"Wherever in the county, a terrorist incident happens, its roots are in Hyderabad," Reddy, MP from Secunderabad, told a newspaper on Friday. He also called Hyderabad a terror safe zone. Slamming the MoS, Asaduddin Owaisi said: "He has spoken in a disgraceful manner even before taking charge. Talking like this in an irresponsible manner does not suit a minister. But we expect them to talk like this because wherever they (BJP) see Muslims, they see terrorists." Don't Worry About BJP's Return to Power: Owaisi to Muslims.

The AIMIM chief said that the BJP was jealous of the progress of Hyderabad, which is considered to be the second largest IT hub in the country. "There is peace in Hyderabad. All religious ceremonies took place with peace and harmony here. This is the second largest software hub after Bengaluru. Why are they (BJP) so jealous of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh? They do not want to see Telangana grow," Owaisi said. Asaduddin Owaisi Jabs Narendra Modi Says If You Care for Minorities, Ensure Muslims Aren't Lynched.

The Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) also denounced Reddy's statement saying it would send out a wrong message. "The statements given by the newly appointed Minister of State for Home, G Kishan Reddy, categorizing Hyderabad as a safe zone for terror sends a very wrong signal to investors and businesses which are planning to invest in the state," TRS leader Abid Rasool Khan told ANI.

Despite facing flak, Reddy stood firm on his remarks. "There are places in the country where terror activities are on a rise. If an incident takes place in Bengaluru or Bhopal, its roots are traced to Hyderabad. State police, NIA have arrested terrorists in Hyderabad every 2-3 months. I didn't say anything wrong," the BJP leader said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 01, 2019 03:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).