Screengrab from video | Photo Credit: Times Now

Hyderabad: In one of the biggest political controversies ahead of Telangana Assembly Elections 2018, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday claimed that the Congress party tried to bribe him to cancel his public rally in Nirmal Assembly constituency in Adilabad district of the state.

In a sensational charge, Owaisi on Monday evening alleged that a Congress candidate offered him Rs 25 lakh to abstain from campaigning. While addressing a public meeting, the AIMIM chief said: "Congress offered me Rs 25 lakh to cancel the public program in Nirmal last evening. What do you call such a party that is doing such a thing?"

Amid cheering crowd, Owaisi added: "(Rs) 25 lakh...that is the value of their arrogance...I am not the one who can be bought".

The Hyderabad MP further claimed that he had a call record to prove the allegation. He also urged voters to stand firm against such influences.

Owaisi added that he would sacrifice his life but would never compromise the party's interests. Notably, AIMIM is not contesting in Nirmal and Owaisi was in the constituency to campaign for Telangana Rashtra Samithi candidate P Indrakaran Reddy. Maheswara Reddy is the Congress candidate in Nirmal.

The Telangana Legislative Assembly Elections 2018 is scheduled to take place on December 7, 2018.