Nepotism led to the defeat of Congress party in Keshkal Nagar Panchayat by-polls, charged Amin Memon brother-in-law of the independent winning candidate Shahina Memon during a press conference on Monday.
He was of view that selection of Mamta Chandrakar as the official candidate of the Congress was a wrong decision as she had no base in Keshkal. I would personnel meet Rahul Gandhi and Party President Sonia Gandhi and tell them about the ground situation, Memon said.
Talking with the reporters he alleged that Mamta Chandraker’s is relative of a Congress party leader of Patan and because of this she was given the ticket.
He further charged that her husband Pawan Chandraker has close proximity with Bhartiya Janta Party also. “Construction works of around `1.7 crores under Public Works Department (PWD) of Keshkal Nagar Panchayat were awarded to three people including Pawan Chandraker,” said Memon and added several serious irregularities were noted in the allotment of tenders which were conveyed to party leadership. We have also approached court of law for cancelation of works, Menon informed.
Memon further said till the date he is not aware whether he has been expelled from the Congress party or not, as he is yet to receive official communication from the state leadership in this connection.
Memon accepts his liability on the side of Ajit Jogi and said that PCC should clarify as what prompted them to make last minute changes and give the ticket to Mamta Chandrakar which ultimately turned catastrophic for Congress party in the elections.
Memon claimed that in the meeting held to select party candidates in presence of party observer Hamid Hayat and District Congress President Shankar Sodhi the names of five candidates including Shahina and Mamta Chandrakar were proposed as possible candidates.
The three women candidates withdrew their names in favour of Shahina including Mamta. Even the banners and posters in favour of Shahina Memon were also placed across Keshkal. However shocking him at the last moment Mamta Chandrakar was declared official candidate.