The AAP has started the procedure to disqualify its 12 councillors in the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) who later joined the BJP. The AAP leader of Opposition in the SMC has issued notices to the 12 suspended councillors over their failure to follow the party whip. The notices signed by AAP whip Shobhnaben Kevadia and SMC leader of Opposition, Dharmesh Bhanderi, pulled up the councillors for remaining absent in the office of Leader of Opposition with SMC on September 11 despite a mandate (whip) being sent to the 12 councillors. The leaders have been given time till 5 pm on September 16 to file their explanation "for not following the whip". The party has warned of legal actions if they fail to file an explanation. The notice has been issued against Dharmendra Vavaliya, Kanu Godiya, Ashokbhai Dhami, Niraliben Patel, Jyotikaben Lathiya, Ruta Kheni, Vipul Movalia, Alpesh Patel, Swatiben Kyada, Ghanshyam Makwana, Bhavnaben Solanki and Kiran Khokhani. “We will wait for their reply and if they fail to do so, we will make representation to the state government to disqualify them. If the government does not disqualify them, we will go to the Gujarat High Court, for disqualification of all 12 elected corporators," said Bhanderi.
