Bandi Sanjay Kumar; Asaduddin Owaisi NEW DELHI: Union minister and former Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Sunday said no woman has ever held a decision-making post in the AIMIM, reacting to a statement by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi that India would one day have a burqa-clad woman as its prime minister.Also Read | ‘PM will always be a Hindu’: Assam CM counters Owaisi’s Muslim PM remark; BJP challenges AIMIM to appoint Pasmanda president“How many Muslim women has the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen actually given tickets to as MLAs or MPs? How many Muslim women hold real decision-making posts in the Majlis? Slogans cannot hide zero representation,” Kumar posted on X. He also recalled the 2018 Telangana assembly elections, in which the BJP fielded a Muslim woman, Syed Shahezadi, against Owaisi’s brother, Akbaruddin, who went on to win.”She was threatened, targeted, and defeated. This is your true face. Today, she serves on the National Commission for Minorities,” the BJP leader added.The minister added that the BJP has a minority wing and grooms women leaders, and asked Owaisi what the AIMIM has “beyond rhetoric.” The Karimnagar Lok Sabha MP also accused the Hyderabad MP and the AIMIM of “intimidating” women activists who raise their voices against the party.Also Read | ‘A tubelight in his mind’: Asaduddin Owaisi hits back at Himanta Biswa Sarma over ‘only Hindu will become PM of India’ remark”We understand your fear. Muslim women can see your hypocrisy clearly. Many view Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji as an elder brother who acted in their interests instead of confining them. BJP empowers women irrespective of religion. Asaduddin Owaisi, on the other hand, speaks of empowerment while imposing restrictions on women in party, public life, and even at home,” Kumar posted.Addressing an election rally on Friday in Maharashtra’s Solapur ahead of the January 15 civic polls, Owaisi said a hijab-clad woman would one day become India’s prime minister, as the country’s Constitution accords equal status to people from all communities, unlike in Pakistan, where members of only one faith can occupy top constitutional posts.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosChirag Paswan Hits Out At Tejashwi Yadav Over ‘People Lost In Democracy’ commentIndia’s Reform Express Accelerates Growth and Investment, Says PM ModiAmit Shah Confident BJP Will Form Government In Kerala In 2026, Vote Share ClimbingOwaisi Blames Congress, Hits Out at UAPA After SC Denies Bail To Umar Khalid‘Some Historians, Politicians Tried To Whitewash History Of Invaders’: PM Modi Hits Out In Somnath‘Hijab-Clad PM’ Row: Owaisi’s ‘Tubelight’ Jab At Himanta Sarma Over ‘Only Hindu PM’ RemarksRSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Calls For Hindu Unity, Says India Will Lead World In 20–30 YearsPM Modi Offers Prayers At Somnath Temple, Witnesses Grand Drone Show & Fireworks At Swabhiman ParvIndia-EU FTA: Piyush Goyal Wraps Up Brussels Visit; Push To Accelerate Trade Deal Talks’Hope India Backs Denmark’: Danish MP Urges Delhi’s Support Amid Trump’s Greenland Threats123Photostories10 things 90s kids begged their parents for, that Gen Z will be shocked even existed7 baby girl names inspired by Indian holy places that parents secretly love8 countries around the world most famous for their wildlifeSamantha Ruth Prabhu’s timeless saree looks that redefine elegance9 traditional Kashmiri non-vegetarian dishes to try this winter seasonChennai on track: First Metro trial run links Porur and Vadapalani, Phase II dream gathers speed’Symbol of strength, resilience, tradition’: PM Modi joins ‘Shaurya Yatra’ at Somnath temple – see pics7 cities in India made famous by their sweetsAprilia Tuono 457 review: Street-focused, fun and accessible!Top 10 cookies from around the world123Hot PicksTrump tariffsUS Supreme CourtGold rate todayBengaluru newsCigarette price hikePublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingUS Border Petrol Agent ShootCanada Immigration Applications 2026Iran ProtestsVanessa BryantTrump TariffsConnor McDavidNFL PlayoffsJustin HerbertWPL Live ScoreFortnite Updates
NEW DELHI: Union minister and former Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Sunday said no woman has ever held a decision-making post in the AIMIM, reacting to a statement by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi that India would one day have a burqa-clad woman as its prime minister.Also Read | ‘PM will always be a Hindu’: Assam CM counters Owaisi’s Muslim PM remark; BJP challenges AIMIM to appoint Pasmanda president“How many Muslim women has the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen actually given tickets to as MLAs or MPs? How many Muslim women hold real decision-making posts in the Majlis? Slogans cannot hide zero representation,” Kumar posted on X. He also recalled the 2018 Telangana assembly elections, in which the BJP fielded a Muslim woman, Syed Shahezadi, against Owaisi’s brother, Akbaruddin, who went on to win.“She was threatened, targeted, and defeated. This is your true face. Today, she serves on the National Commission for Minorities,” the BJP leader added.The minister added that the BJP has a minority wing and grooms women leaders, and asked Owaisi what the AIMIM has “beyond rhetoric.” The Karimnagar Lok Sabha MP also accused the Hyderabad MP and the AIMIM of “intimidating” women activists who raise their voices against the party.Also Read | ‘A tubelight in his mind’: Asaduddin Owaisi hits back at Himanta Biswa Sarma over ‘only Hindu will become PM of India’ remark“We understand your fear. Muslim women can see your hypocrisy clearly. Many view Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji as an elder brother who acted in their interests instead of confining them. BJP empowers women irrespective of religion. Asaduddin Owaisi, on the other hand, speaks of empowerment while imposing restrictions on women in party, public life, and even at home,” Kumar posted.Addressing an election rally on Friday in Maharashtra’s Solapur ahead of the January 15 civic polls, Owaisi said a hijab-clad woman would one day become India’s prime minister, as the country’s Constitution accords equal status to people from all communities, unlike in Pakistan, where members of only one faith can occupy top constitutional posts.
![Zoji La [Ladakh] SRINAGAR: Zoji La tunnel, an upcoming strategic corridor that will provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh, is nearing a defining moment, with engineers inching towards a “breakthrough” final blast expected around May 30.Work is progressing at about four meters per day from both ends — Sonamarg (Baltal) in Kashmir and Minamarg in Ladakh — using controlled drilling and blasting. Only 300 meters of the 13.155km tunnel is left to excavate, Harpal Singh, chief operating officer (COO) of Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), told TOI. The Hyderabad-based company is executing the project.“The final blast will bring the excavation phase to a close, completing the tunnel’s core structure,” Singh said, adding the blast will signal the physical connection between Kashmir and Ladakh.According to Singh, this historic milestone will be achieved by reducing tunnel excavation to zero within 30 to 35 days. “Breakthrough will ensure speedy construction of the remaining works, including concrete lining, permanent tunnel drainage, installation of surveillance equipment, control buildings, underground transformers and (traffic) smoke control systems,” Singh explained.The tunnel is still another two-and-a-half years from completion. Before it is opened to the public, the breakthrough will allow construction teams and machines to move seamlessly between two ends, streamlining work. “The teams and equipment can move through the tunnel without any hassle,” Singh said, adding this will help sustain construction through winters when heavy snowfall in Sonamarg halts surface movement.The tunnel will reduce distance between the two ends (Sonamarg and Minamarg) from 49km to 43km and increase vehicle speeds from 30kmph to 70kmph, officials said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSamrat Chaudhary Becomes Bihar CM: A Political Journey Marked by Setbacks and ReinventionIran Expresses Confidence In India’s BRICS Presidency Amid West Asia ConflictPM Modi, Donald Trump Hold 40-Min Phone Call, Discuss Strait Of Hormuz, West Asia SituationPak Enters Noida? Stunning Twist To Wage War As Workers Riot In NCR; Yogi Minister Drops BombshellFuel Price Freeze Amid Hormuz Crisis Is Costing Oil Companies Thousands of Crores DailyChina Defends Renaming Places In Arunachal After India Slams Beijing’s ‘Mischievous Attempt’Bihar DY CM Puzzle for JDU, Nishant Kumar Reluctance Complicates NDA MathNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted Voters123PhotostoriesWhy this new rice variety is called ‘Designer Rice’ and how it will impact your protein intake10 free things to do in Noida that are actually worth your timeHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-style Langarwali Dal6 essential real estate investment strategies for first-time buyers9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demandArgue without breaking up: 5 simple rules every couple needs to know‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against Israel123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup](https://vknewstoday.in/wp-content/uploads/1776198165_photo.jpg "Zoji La [Ladakh] SRINAGAR: Zoji La tunnel, an upcoming strategic corridor that will provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh, is nearing a defining moment, with engineers inching towards a “breakthrough” final blast expected around May 30.Work is progressing at about four meters per day from both ends — Sonamarg (Baltal) in Kashmir and Minamarg in Ladakh — using controlled drilling and blasting. Only 300 meters of the 13.155km tunnel is left to excavate, Harpal Singh, chief operating officer (COO) of Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), told TOI. The Hyderabad-based company is executing the project.“The final blast will bring the excavation phase to a close, completing the tunnel’s core structure,” Singh said, adding the blast will signal the physical connection between Kashmir and Ladakh.According to Singh, this historic milestone will be achieved by reducing tunnel excavation to zero within 30 to 35 days. “Breakthrough will ensure speedy construction of the remaining works, including concrete lining, permanent tunnel drainage, installation of surveillance equipment, control buildings, underground transformers and (traffic) smoke control systems,” Singh explained.The tunnel is still another two-and-a-half years from completion. Before it is opened to the public, the breakthrough will allow construction teams and machines to move seamlessly between two ends, streamlining work. “The teams and equipment can move through the tunnel without any hassle,” Singh said, adding this will help sustain construction through winters when heavy snowfall in Sonamarg halts surface movement.The tunnel will reduce distance between the two ends (Sonamarg and Minamarg) from 49km to 43km and increase vehicle speeds from 30kmph to 70kmph, officials said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSamrat Chaudhary Becomes Bihar CM: A Political Journey Marked by Setbacks and ReinventionIran Expresses Confidence In India’s BRICS Presidency Amid West Asia ConflictPM Modi, Donald Trump Hold 40-Min Phone Call, Discuss Strait Of Hormuz, West Asia SituationPak Enters Noida? Stunning Twist To Wage War As Workers Riot In NCR; Yogi Minister Drops BombshellFuel Price Freeze Amid Hormuz Crisis Is Costing Oil Companies Thousands of Crores DailyChina Defends Renaming Places In Arunachal After India Slams Beijing’s ‘Mischievous Attempt’Bihar DY CM Puzzle for JDU, Nishant Kumar Reluctance Complicates NDA MathNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted Voters123PhotostoriesWhy this new rice variety is called ‘Designer Rice’ and how it will impact your protein intake10 free things to do in Noida that are actually worth your timeHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-style Langarwali Dal6 essential real estate investment strategies for first-time buyers9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demandArgue without breaking up: 5 simple rules every couple needs to know‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against Israel123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup")