Hyderabad, Jan 31 (IANS): Maharashtra Police have denied permission to MIM to hold a public meeting at Aurangabad, saying there was apprehension of communal disharmony.

Police have also banned entry of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi in that state for 100 days.

A police officer from Maharashtra Wednesday served notice on Owaisi, who is also the MP from Hyderabad.

The MIM was scheduled to hold a meeting at Aurangabad Feb 1. The party claimed that the permission for it was granted last week.

Reacting strongly, Owaisi alleged that it was a conspiracy by the Congress government. "I have a right to address a meeting in any part of India. They can't stop me from expressing my views," he said.

Owaisi said the MIM would challenge the police action in a court of law.

Owaisi's younger brother Akbaruddin was arrested and jailed earlier this month in Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh for making a hate speech.

The MP was also arrested in a seven-year-old case of allegedly manhandling an official in Medak district. He was later released on bail.