Rupani alleges Ahmed Patel of links with ISIS suspect, Patel denies the charge

Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat Ahmed Patel on Friday refuted as 'completely baseless' the allegation leveled on him by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in connection with a nabbed ISIS terrorist.

Patel took to his Twitter handle and requested to not politicise the issue in wake of the upcoming Assembly elections.

"My party and I appreciate the ATS's effort to nab the two terrorists. I demand strict and speedy action against them. The allegations put forward by BJP are completely baseless (sic)," he tweeted.

"We request that matters of national security not be politicised keeping elections in mind. Let's not divide peace loving Gujaratis while fighting terrorism (sic)," he added.

Patel reaction came after Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani demanded his resignation from the post after a nabbed ISIS terrorist was learnt to be working in the hospital associated with him.

"If Ahmed Patel was a patron of hospital from where 2 suspected ISIS terrorists were arrested then should he be not held responsible," Rupani had said during a press briefing here.

Meanwhile, Congress senior leader Randeep Surjewala also defended Ahmed, saying "BJP and Gujarat CM Rupani were trying to hide their incompetence by making such baseless statements."

Earlier on October 25, the Gujarat anti-terrorism squad (ATS) arrested two suspected ISIS operatives-- Kasim Timberwala and Aabed Mirza-- ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls.

While Aabed worked as a lawyer, Kasim was employed with a hospital as a technician.