According to the Collector of the Panchmahals district, Milind Torwane, the notice was issued to Harwani and 10 others in the GMC after Harwani floated his own political outfit, Godhra Vikas Manch. “He has been ousted from the post after a notice from Officer-Designate for the implementation of anti-defection law served a notice of removal to Harwani and 10 others from their posts,” added Torwane.

Now, GMC will undergo elections while vice-president of the corporation, Murli Moolchandani, has been made the president-in-charge till the elections are held. “We will have the by-polls soon. I have been made the president-in-charge,” said Moolchandani. He said he had alerted the BJP high command to initiate action against Harwani and 10 others.

Interestingly, Harwani said he was yet to get a copy of

the notice from the Collectorate. However, he said he had been suspended from the party earlier in May along with 10 others for six months.

“This is a conspiracy against the development work going on in Godhra,” said Harwani.

Harwani was in the news after his rival and BJP leader, Murli Moolchandani, had filed a case against him in the Godhra Police Station for allegedly misusing GMC funds. “The case is still going on,” said Moolchandani.