Asaduddin Owaisi & AIMIM's first Kolkata rally cancelled; TMC attacks but claims 'no role'

AIMIM chief Asuddin Owaisi's first rally in Kolkata, scheduled to be held on Thursday, has been cancelled as city police denied permission for it. Party's state secretary Zameerul Hasan said police did not give m permission for rally. Meanwhile, TMC has denied any involvement in cancellation of rally.

'We can't be cowed down by such tactics'

"We h applied 10 days back for permission. But today we were informed by police that y will not permit us to hold rally. We can't be cowed down by such tactics of ruling TMC. We will discuss and soon announce a fresh date for a programme," news agency PTI quoted Hasan as saying on Wednesday.

Owaisi was scheduled to kick off his party's campaign ahe of West Bengal assembly elections with rally in minority-dominated Metiabruz area of city.

AIMIM has alrey come up with posters for planned programme. Kolkata police declined to comment on matter, PTI reported.  TMC denied any involvement in cancellation of rally. "We have no role in permitting a rally organised by AIMIM which is nothing but a proxy of BJP in Bengal," TMC MP Sougata Roy said.

ISF not to oppose AIMIM

Owaisi, who after AIMIM's good performance in 2020 Bihar assembly polls has announced that it will contest Bengal election, has been discussing a possible alliance with Furfura Sharif cleric Abbas Siddiqui, who h recently floated Indian Secular Front (ISF).

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Abbas Siddiqui on Tuesday said his party will not oppose Asuddin Owaisi-led AIMIM in upcoming West Bengal Assembly polls. "As Sahab came to Bengal. He came to our darbar sharif. We have told him that we are standing with him. I believe in 2021 Assembly election votes should not be divided and thus wherever As Sahab's party will contest we should not field candidates. It is important to support him. talks are going on across table," Siddiqui told ANI.

According to a senior leer of Hyderab-based party, Owaisi has seen in West Bengal, a fertile ground for his expansion plans, as Muslims constitute around 30% of state's population. Elections to 294-member West Bengal Assembly are likely to be held in April-May.

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(With agency inputs)