Pak PM has no right to interfere in Indian elections: Asaduddin Owaisi
Hyderabad: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi Thursday hit out at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan over his remarks about India's general elections, saying he has no right to interfere in the country's electoral process.
During an interaction with foreign journalists in Islamabad on Wednesday, Khan said he believed there may be a better chance of peace talks with India and settling the Kashmir issue if Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP wins the general election.
"... I have condemned the statement of Imran Khan. He has no right whatsoever to interfere in the electoral process of a great country like India," Owaisi said.
The AIMIM leader, who is seeking re-election from Hyderabad, was speaking after casting his vote at a polling booth here under the Chevella parliamentary constituency.
Responding to a question on Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao receiving a notice from the Election Commission for allegedly making controversial remarks, Owaisi said he was "surprised" that Modi did not get one.
"I was very surprised. The prime minister should have got a notice when he equated terrorism with one religion," he said.
Owaisi, whose All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen is an ally of Rao's ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi, said he hoped that the chief minister would give a satisfactory response to the EC's notice.
The EC has issued a show cause notice to Rao, finding him prima facie guilty of allegedly passing derogatory remarks against Hindus while addressing an election rally in Karimnagar last month.
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Karnataka Forest Minister warns against illegal tree felling amid gas shortage
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Thursday directed officials to remain vigilant to prevent illegal tree felling in forests, areas bordering them, and government lands in the wake of increased demand for firewood due to LPG scarcity, triggered by the widening West Asia conflict.
In written instructions issued to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of the Forest Force, Meenakshi Negi, the minister said that the impact of the LPG shortage has been felt in Karnataka as well.
Citing that restaurants, resorts and homestays are facing difficulties in obtaining commercial LPG cylinders, and disruptions are being reported in the supply of domestic cooking gas, he has ordered officials to intensify patrols and surveillance to prevent illegal tree felling for firewood.
He further directed all forest circles and divisions to take appropriate patrol and precautionary measures.
The minister warned that if illegal tree felling occurs in forests or government land, the concerned range officer and staff would be held responsible.
