Chidambaram amazed over allegations against Ahmed Patel

Former Union Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday came in support of Rajya Sabha MP Ahmed Patel after the BJP accused him of links with Islamic State. On demands of Ahmed Patel's resignation, Chidambaram said, "I am amazed by this kind of outrageous demands."

He said, "I have gathered some facts from my friends. Ahmed Patel was a trustee of a hospital, I believe he (Patel) resigned or retired in 2015.""Now if somebody joins as a technician and then he is linked to ISIS, how is some trustee of 3 years ago responsible," he asked. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani demanded Congress leader Ahmed Patel's resignation as Rajya Sabha MP, alleging that a suspected Islamic State member arrested recently used to work at a hospital that Patel used to "manage".

Patel, he added, should explain how 31-year-old Kasim Steamerwala - who was arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad of the Gujarat Police last Wednesday along with Ubed Mirza - came to be employed by the Sardar Patel Hospital in the town of Ankleshwar in Bharuch district. Rupani demanded an explanation from the Congress and its vice-president Rahul Gandhi for recruiting a "terrorist".