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Saturday, October 05, 2013
ANP expels Azam Hoti on ‘disciplinary grounds’
PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party has expelled veteran leader Senator Azam Khan Hoti on “disciplinary grounds” after he questioned former party leader Asfandyar Wali Khan’s ability to lead the Pakhtun nationalist party after a crushing defeat in May 11 general elections.
A brief statement from the party’s Baacha Khan Markaz, quoting provincial organiser Bashir Khan Matta, said that Azam Khan failed to respond to the show-cause notice served on him last week to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him after he went to the press against Asfandyar Wali Khan. Azam Hoti did not respond to the notice and instead addressed a news conference to renew his call for Asfandyar Wali Khan to step down as party leader “after failing the ANP”.
He is the second leader to be expelled from the party after Farid Toofan. “He has been expelled from the party for constant party discipline (violation),” the statement read, quoting the provincial chapter organiser tasked with holding party elections after Asfandyar Wali Khan dissolved all party chapters to hold fresh party elections. However, senior ANP leaders said Bashir Khan Matta was not authorised to expel the central party leader and that provincial-level party organiser had no constitutional power to take this extreme decision against Azam Hoti. The ANP is facing internal differences after the poorest show during the May 11 general elections despite ruling Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for five years. “Azam Hoti no longer will have any association with the party nor can he use the party name and that he will never be able to get the party membership,” the statement said. staff report
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk