AHMEDABAD: Over a dozen municipal councillors of Ahmedabad city
Congress have threatened to quit the party if councillor
Shehzad Khan Pathan
is appointed as the leader of opposition (
LOP
) in the civic body.
The Congress has not been able to elect an LOP in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) for almost a year now. Recently, the party began the process of consultation to appoint an LOP.
On Sunday afternoon, around 10 councillors arrived at the GPCC headquarters and handed over a letter signed by 14 councillors, stating they would quit the party if
Shehzad Pathan
’s name was finalised as LOP.
“A person who threatens women and does not behave cannot be our leader. Seniority should be the criterion for choosing the LOP,” said councilor Rajshri Kesari. Another councillor Jamuna Vegda said, “We have handed over a letter with our signatures, stating that we will not accept
Pathan
as LOP.”
Kamla Chavda, who was named the leader of opposition before the AMC election, said Pathan and his accomplices had issued her threats. “He personally called and threatened me and others. He has the support of 10 Congress municipal councillors,” she said.
Asked about the allegations levelled against him by his fellow councillors, Shehzad Khan Pathan said, “Everybody in the party has expectations. I leave the decision to the party high command. I will abide by it.”
State Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said that two observers have held detailed talks with all councillors on the matter. “Some councillors have made a representation to the party. A decision will be taken in the next few days which will be acceptable to all,” he said.
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