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Councillor to quit rather than be 'forced'
Date published: 10 January 2012
Councillor Farooq Ahmed is to stand down as a councillor, due, he alleges, to a 'campaign' by members of the Rochdale Constituency Labour Party, including he says Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, to "force him out."
Councillor Ahmed says that members of the party are trying to use his “private” life to undermine him and that he has “had enough of being stabbed in the back” and is going before he is pushed.
The popular councillor for Central ward, who was re-elected last May with a huge majority, says that his “arranged” marriage has broken down and he admits he is now in a relationship with Shefali Begum – Ms Begum was to stand as a Labour candidate in the forthcoming local elections in May but has also now decided she will not be standing. Councillor Ahmed says his private life had no bearing on his ability to carry out his duties as a councillor.
Speaking to Rochdale Online, Councillor Ahmed said: “I am fed up of what has been a concerted campaign by members of my own party to get rid of me. They have been trying to dig dirt on me for months, leaking details of my private life to the media and making accusations about me that are not true. These accusations are not just designed to undermine my character, they go further and allege I have been breaking the law, and have tried to get the police to investigate me. The police looked at the allegations and told me there is no evidence and they will not be taking any further action.”
Councillor Ahmed also alleges that a video is being used to discredit him.
The video shows Councillor Ahmed appearing to smoke cannabis – but Councillor Ahmed strenuously denies this is the case and said he was smoking a menthol cigarette and has threatened legal action over the video.
Asked if by quitting he is not playing into the hands of those he accuses of seeking to oust him, Councillor Ahmed said: “Yes, I am but I have had enough, I have seen what they do to those who oppose them and they are doing it to me now. I just want to get on with my life in peace.”
Simon Danczuk MP failed to respond to an invitation to comment.
Comments
I know how he feels. My father, the late Abdul Chowdry JP, often felt stabbed in the back by fellow Labour councillors he helped to elect, just for putting his constituents first before the party.
Another example of why Rochdale Constituency Labour Party has been hijacked by a yuppie clique who have no idea of the struggle ordinary Rochdale folk are going through and put their own petty squabbles over leading the opposition to Coalition cuts. Cllr Ahmed's personal life should have no bearing, cannabis or not; judge his political record, one far better than many of his other Rochdale Labour Party 'comrades', many of whose lifestyles would stand less scrutiny.
Having met Councillor Farooq on several occasions, I have always found him to be dedicated to his ward and to Rochdale. It seems that Rochdale Constituency Labour Party is again starting to witch hunt members.
Councillor Farooq Ahmed should not quit, he has more community spirit than anyone I know, his dedication to Central ward and the whole of Rochdale is and always has been second to none. Rochdale advertises itself as a caring community yet when a councillor seems to be going through a rough patch (as all of us do from time to time) what is everyone doing? Jumping on the bandwagon! Farooq has always supported this town, now we need to support him. Come on everyone don't let him quit.
I recall the last time Rochdale Labour Party acted against certain members of the Labour Party, and actually got rid of several members. Many of the members that were suspended or expelled had the Labour Party running through their veins. I actually resigned from the party because I know that their hearts were with the Party, as I feel Councillor Farooq Ahmed's is.
Those remaining after the 'witch trials' have no danger of ever being blacklisted as being too 'socialist' or too 'left-wing', the only thing many of the current yuppie clique believe in is their own personal career advancement or how to manouevre themselves or their spouses into a cushy expenses paid safe ward or Parliamentary seat. If you're on the left don't waste your time with Rochdale Labour Party, they have well and truly sold out; radical politics moved elsewhere in this town long ago.
If you'd done things the 'New Labour Way' Councillor Ahmed you'd probably have got 'sponsorship' from the Leagalise Canabis Campaign in a similar vein to our MP who was entertained by a multi-national tobacco company, not that it has anything to do with the way he votes on smoking bans in cars, and his partner is a councillor now as well. Looks like you have so have so much in common 'comrades', it's hard for us to understand why you're squabbling over this rather than opposing the Tories.
Being a close friend of the family, Mr Ahmed has pulled the wool over the community’s eyes. Well his career and his ‘good name’ is in ruins. I feel for his family, especially his wife and his two gorgeous young kids, who are the innocent parties.
Colin Lambert is also being hounded. The plan is to get Alan Brett elected and installed as the new leader of the Council.
Typical Labour approach, secretive, centralist, "we know best", yet so often characterised by financial chaos incompetence and sleaze.
Our councillors very easily forget the fact that they have been elected to serve the local community and to play a community leadership role. Unfortunately they are too busy with their own affairs.
Only when folk have the sense to start electing councillors standing as independents will things start to change for the better.
Farooq is one of the most honest people I know. This is a shame for Rochdale. Farooq stand up to it don't be forced out.
Well what can I say, Councillor Farooq has done so much for us Rochdale people. Shame on Simon Danczuk and the rest who have harrassed, and as far as I see it bullied, one best councillors Rochdale has ever had. All I can say is we want Farooq back were he belongs and deserves to be, as a councillor. The other bullies should be the ones to leave. Shame on the lot of you.
This behaviour is not acceptable and should not be accepted by the community!
He has made a fool of himself in this and was not bullied out.
He should not be a part of the party, full stop!
Miss CIA, I take it you then would agree that Simon Danczuk should be booted out too as there was a lot written how he left his wife and children for his younger partner and the opportunity to enjoy some "power".
Farooq is Rochdale through and thorough. Simon is here today and gone when he loses at the next general election!
The behaviour that I was talking about is the video clip of Farooq and denying it.
No man can stand to the top if he doesn't have self respect and not lead as an example.
Whatever was in the cigarette, Cllr Ahmed was very unwise to allow himself to be filmed in this way. It does not make him a bad man but neither does it make him a saint. Far too many commentators on these seem to be grinding political axes of their own.
From this Farooq has no leg to stand on.
Polticians are all hypocrites.
Having a clean record as a councillor is very important. He is not a bad man but the community depend on changing life for young youths. What does this portray?
Have Your Say
A crying shame. A hugely popular councillor being forced to stand down by the antics of 'lets throw enough mud in the hope it will stick' brigade. Again another reported example of the antics internally of Rochdale's political parties instead of putting Rochdale first. What on earth do these people expect to acheive? Again the people of Rochdale are suffering.
By Chill @ 10/01/2012 10:32:24