Gujarat elections 2017: Congress suspends 15 for anti-party activities

Three days before the first phase of elections, the Congress party suspended 15 of its leaders and workers, who are contesting in the coming elections either as independents or on symbols of other parties, for six years.

Former finance minister Babu Meghji Shah, who is contesting from Rapar constituency, Mavjibhai Patel (contesting from Tharad), Rajendrasinh Jhala (Prantij), Mahesh Majethia (Limbdi) and Ratansinh Rathod (Lunavada) were among those whom the party suspended.

City corporator Atul Patel, who has filed nomination papers from Vatva seat, is among those suspended from the Congress. "Filing nomination papers against the party's official candidate is grave indiscipline and an anti-party activity. The Congress has taken serious note of this, and suspended the 15 leaders and workers," state Congress president Manish Doshi said, adding that the action was due to their refusal to withdraw from the fray.

BJP, which had suspended former MLA Kama Rathod and 23 others last week, suspended Bhikhabhai Patel, executive chairman of Sanand Municipality, from the party's primary membership for anti-party activities.