New Delhi: Senior BJP leader Nishikant Dubey praised the Centre’s decision to include him and AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi in a delegation heading to Muslim-majority nations, calling it the 'most beautiful face of democracy.' The unusual pairing of two ideologically opposed leaders aims to send a unified Indian message to the international community in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent counterstrike, Operation Sindoor.
The seven-member team will travel to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria as part of India’s global outreach to expose Pakistan's continued involvement in terrorism. Led by BJP national vice president Baijayant Panda, the delegation includes MPs Nishikant Dubey, Asaduddin Owaisi, Phangnon Konyak, and Rekha Sharma, along with nominated MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and former foreign secretary Harsh Shringla. The government plans to send six more delegations to other global regions as part of this outreach effort.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Dubey expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for entrusting him with the role. “I am grateful to the honourable Prime Minister for choosing me to speak in Muslim countries about Pakistan’s actions and India’s 78-year-long fight against terrorism. The most beautiful face of democracy is that Owaisi sahab and I will jointly represent Indian democracy and the respect Muslims receive in India,” he said.
The collaboration is especially notable given the recent public clash between Dubey and Owaisi. Last month, following the Supreme Court’s landmark Tamil Nadu judgment reinforcing timelines for gubernatorial assent to state bills, Dubey made controversial comments questioning the judiciary’s role, stating that 'Parliament and State Assemblies should be shut.' The BJP quickly distanced itself from his remarks.
Owaisi, a vocal advocate for constitutional safeguards, had sharply criticised Dubey, accusing him of undermining the judiciary. “You are threatening the courts? Article 142 was included by BR Ambedkar. He was far more visionary than you,” Owaisi said in Parliament, warning that such statements could erode democratic foundations and embolden extremists.
Despite their political sparring, Owaisi has accepted the foreign mission as a serious responsibility. “This is not about party affiliation. We will have a detailed meeting before departure. It is an important task and I will try my best to fulfil it with sincerity,” he stated.
