Teesra Mahaj breaks ties with Congress in Malegaon

Nashik, June 13 (UNI) The Teesra Mahaj, which secured the maximum number of 27 seats in the recently-held election to the 72-member Malegaon Municipal Corporation, has decided to sever its post-poll alliance with the Congress in the mayoral elections scheduled on June 15.

''We have decided to sever ties with the Congress following public pressure,'' Teesra Mahaj chief Maulana Mufti Mohammed Ismail told reporters at Malegaon today.

Yesterday, some activists of the Janata Dal and Malegaon citizens had demonstrated before the Maulana's residence and had demanded that the Teesra Mahaj sever ties with the Congress as the voters had given their verdict against that party.

The Maulana said that yesterday's event has prompted the Mahaj to arrive at the decision. The Congress, incidentally, has bagged 15 seats.

Meanwhile, Maulana Ismail said that if the Janata Dal wishes to support the Teesra Mahaj, the support should be unconditional. The Janata Dal has twelve seats in the new House.

The Teesra Mahaj, the Maulana said, will meet tomorrow to chalk out the future course of action ahead of the June 15 mayoral election.

UNI