Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani links arrested ISIS terrorists with Ahmed Patel, Cong hits back

The arrest of 2 suspected ISIS terrorists by Gujarat Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) a few days ago has sparked off a war of words betwen the BJP and the Congress.  

After it emerged that one of the ISIS terrorists was working in Ankleshwar's Sardar Patel Hospital in Bharuch, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani demanded Congress leader Ahmed Patel's resignation, saying he was one of the trustees of that hospital till 2014 and hence must be held accountable.

If Ahmed Patel was a patron of hospital from where 2 suspected ISIS terrorists were arrested then should he be not held responsible: Guj CM pic.twitter.com/tYOQn8gCAI

- ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2017

Rupani alleged that Ahmed Patel was part of the inauguration of the renovated Sardar Patel Hospital in Bharuch along with the then President Pranab Mukherjee.

According to a statement issued by the hospital, one of the arrested terrorists - Mohammad Qasim - was hired in accordance with its usual recruitment process. He had resigned on October 4 this year and the hospital had accepted his resignation. The hospital claims it was not aware of his links with terrorists. "We believe and work for humanitarian causes and condemn terrorism and terrorist activities", the statement said.

CONGRESS TERMS CHARGES BASELESS

Meanwhile, Congress leader Ahmed Patel in his defence has said that the allegations levelled by the BJP are completely baseless. "My party and I appreciate the ATS' effort to arrest the two terrorists. I demand strict and speedy action be taken against them. We request that matters of national importance not be politicised keeping elections in mind. Let's now divide the peace-loving Gujaratis while fighting terrorism."

Backing Patel, party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that the BJP and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani were making such baseless statements only to hide their own incompetence.