Union Minister of Law & Justice and Electronics Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has asked Pakistan to mind its ‘own business’ instead of advising India on how to go about in conducting polls.

It may be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Pakistan some time back of supporting Congress in its bid to upset the ruling BJP’s apple-cart ahead of Assembly polls in the State. Congress denied it and said party leaders only discussed the recent thaw in Indo-Pak relations when Pakistan embassy officials attended a recent function at suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar’s residence.

Pakistan joined the issue when its Ambassador said Pakistan’s name shouldn’t be dragged in the issue. “Parties should win on their own strength and not by involving Pakistan’s name needlessly during the campaign prior to Assembly polls,” he had said.

Taking on Pakistan, Prasad said that India is the largest democracy in the world and as such, it didn’t need lessons from anyone as to how to go about in conducting polls. “We know how to conduct and face elections. We don’t encourage outsiders to interfere with our affairs or advise us how to conduct polls. The whole world knows Pakistan sponsors terrorist activities on Indian soil. It’s high time it stopped such actions.

“We respect and honour our democracy. Prime Minister, elected by an overwhelming majority by the people, wasn’t giving wrong information at any stage when he hinted about Pakistan’s hand. What is the need for Pakistan to come out with an ‘urgent’ statement on the issue,” he wondered.