Bengaluru: Launching a tirade against the ruling Congress in the state, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) supremo Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday lambasted the party for taking his support in parliament to stall proceedings while banning his entry into Karnataka.
Speaking at a press conference here, Mr Owaisi said, "Mr Siddaramaiah’s decision to ban my entry reminds of the days of the British Raj, I feel that Mr Siddaramaiah is heading the East India company here. It was only during the British era that political leaders’ movements used to be banned or restricted.”
“I was banned by the Congress government here whereas its leaders at the national level do not hesitate to take my support in parliament. I am surprised by the double standards practised by these Congress leaders,” he said. He asked Mr Siddaramaiah to clarify whether he believed in freedom of speech or not? “Had he believed in the Constitution, he would not have imposed the ban on me,” he snapped.
In response to a question, Mr Owaisi retorted that his party’s entry into the BBMP polls was not intended to help the BJP but unite the oppressed.
