Madhavi Latha, BJP Candidate for Hyderabad Lok Sabha Election, Addresses “Imaginary Arrow” Row and Mosque Origin

Madhavi Latha, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat, sparked controversy after a video of her making a dramatic gesture went viral. In the video, she pretends to draw and release an arrow, with the shot being accompanied by loud music. The clip pans to show a mosque at the point she releases the ‘arrow,’ leading to criticism.

Following the backlash, Latha issued a statement apologizing “if anyone’s feelings are hurt” and claimed that the circulated video is “incomplete.” She defended her actions by stating that she was gesturing shooting an imaginary arrow towards the sky on the occasion of Ram Navami, and was not targeting the mosque. Latha also accused the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) of orchestrating a conspiracy against the BJP and attempting to incite negativity.

However, AIMIM leader Mr Owaisi stood firm in his criticism of the BJP, emphasizing the importance of peace and fraternity in Hyderabad and expressing confidence that Telangana will vote against the BJP in the upcoming election. In addition to the controversy surrounding Latha’s video, the distribution of Lok Sabha seats in Telangana was highlighted. In the 2019 election, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi won nine seats, the BJP won four, the Congress won three, and the AIMIM won one.

The upcoming 2024 election for all 17 seats is scheduled for May 17, with results expected on June 4.