New Delhi, March 24 -- Congress leader Pramod Tiwari on Tuesday criticised Uttar Pradesh AIMIM state president Haji Shaukat Ali, alleging that his controversial statements are indirectly benefiting the BJP in the upcoming elections.

Reacting to Ali's remarks that AIMIM only seeks 11 MLAs in UP, that anyone harming a Muslim would face fatal consequences in an encounter, and that homes and madrasas are being bulldozed or closed, Tiwari said he disagrees with Haji Shaukat Ali's language and accused him of helping the BJP by cutting votes, calling him the party's "estranged twin brother" and claiming his statements benefit only the BJP.

"I don't agree with the language he is using. But I want to say that if a BJP government is formed in Bih...