'Bengali Tigers' maul Galloway's Respect party

26 October 2007

EXCLUSIVE

By Ted Jeory



GEORGE Galloway's Respect party has been thrown into turmoil after four of his Tower Hamlets councillors resigned the whip to become independents.

The four include Oliur Rahman, who became the Respect's first councillor in 2004.

The others are Lutfa Begum, her daughter Rania Khan and Ahmed Hussain, one of the most talented of the group of 12 that were elected in May last year.

Respect's dozen "Bengali tigers", as Mr Galloway triumphantly described them 18 months ago, have now been whittled down to a rump of seven.

Wais Islam defected to Labour earlier this year and although Shamim Cowdhury quit as a councillor in July, the party retained his seat at the Shadwell by-election.

The four, who will remain party members, launched a stinging attack on group leader Abjol Miah.

The latest developments come just a couple of weeks after the move was predicted by the Advertiser.

The decision by the gang of four-and more may follow-came after series of meetings, the latest on Wednesday night.

The four have decided to remain as 'loyal' party members, but they are engaged in a battle for the soul of the party.

They are more closely aligned with the Socialist Workers Party wing of Respect which is on the brink of a split after lengthy rows with Mr Galloway and Tower Hamlets Respect group leader Cllr Abjol Miah.

Oli Rahman failed to oust Cllr Miah as leader earlier this year; since then the two have barely talked.

In a statement last night (Wednesday), the four stated: "We have decided to resign the Respect group whip with immediate effect.

"We remain loyal Respect members and we will pursue in the council chambers and the community the original policies and principles on which Respect was founded.

"Cllr Abjol Miah has over an extended period now has failed to demonstrate the basic qualities and competencies essential for the post of group and Opposition leader.

"His approach and conduct have been detrimental to the spirit of a united coalition that brings together a range of group and individuals of different background and political persuasions."

In a separate statement, Cllr Rahman said: "It is particularly sad for me that after repeated attempt to find a reasonable way forward, our efforts have been treated with disdain. We regret that it has come to this stage where we feel compelled to resign the whip.