All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi was denied permission to hold election campaign rally by the police authorities in Kalyan.
According to sources in the police department, the decision was taken after it was alleged that two of the MIM candidates used convicted terrorist Yakub Memon’s name during their campaign.
Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), a neighbouring municipal corporation goes to polls in the first week of November. The MIM is contesting seven seats in this traditional stronghold of the BJP and the Shiv Sena. Mr. Owaisi has also been barred from entering Thane district for next three days.
“This is absolutely uncalled for and the government is using its power to suppress our voice,” said Imtiyz Jaleel, MLA and also a leader from MIM.
He said Mr. Owaisi has been to Maharashtra many times and has participated in several election rallies. “Not once that his speech created law and order problem. We do not see any logic behind this action. We will be meeting the higher authorities on Monday to register our protest,” Mr. Jaleel said.
ANI reports:
The Pune police on Saturday denied permission to Mr. Owaisi for holding a rally on October 26 in Kondhwa region ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation polls. The police have reportedly denied permission to prevent any untoward incident during the Kondhwa by-election, which is scheduled to be held on November.
Mr. Owaisi is known to make controversial remarks, especially on issues concerning minorities. Earlier this month, an FIR was lodged against him for allegedly making an inflammatory speech at an election rally.
