AIMIM expels corporator Meera Kamble for backing BJP in Amravati mayor poll

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Sunday expelled its corporator Meera Kamble for defying the party line and supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) candidate in the mayoral election of the Amravati Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra.

Kamble, who was elected to the civic body on an AIMIM ticket in the recent municipal polls, voted in favour of BJP mayoral candidate Shreechand Tejwani during the election held on Friday, despite the party’s decision to remain neutral.

AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel said the party, which has 12 corporators in the Amravati Municipal Corporation, had collectively resolved not to support any candidate in the mayor and deputy mayor elections. “However, Meera Kamble raised her hand in support of the BJP candidate, violating the party’s stand,” he told PTI.

“In view of this act of indiscipline, Kamble has been expelled from the party. We have also initiated the process to seek her disqualification as a corporator,” Jaleel said.

He added that show-cause notices have been issued to AIMIM office-bearers and local leaders in Amravati to ascertain responsibility and ensure strict adherence to party discipline in future.

In the elections, BJP’s Shreechand Tejwani was elected mayor, while Sachin Onkarrao Bhende of Ravi Rana-led Yuva Swabhiman Party (YSP) was elected deputy mayor of the 87-member civic body. Both the BJP and YSP are constituents of the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra.

The BJP has 25 corporators in the Amravati Municipal Corporation, while the YSP has 15 members.