Party politics: Altaf Hussain resigns as party chief, then takes it back

Several party leaders and workers gathered at Nine Zero after the party chief's announcement.

KARACHI: Upset with the attitude of Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) Rabita Committee, the party chief Altaf Hussain tendered his resignation on Sunday morning. A few hours later, however, he took it back.

According to sources, he took his resignation back after repeated requests from his party workers. Several party leaders and workers gathered at Nine Zero after Altaf Hussain's announcement earlier in the day. They appealed to him to reconsider his decision.

Members of the Rabita Committee - MNAs, MPAs and Senators, also submitted their resignations to show solidarity with their party chief and said that the party was nothing without him.

Hussain criticised the role of the Rabita Committee and said that his advice was being ignored. "The Rabita Committee leaders haven't changed their attitude despite multiple requests," he said. "I am tired of giving advice."

He said that he was handing over his duties and responsibilities to the Rabita Committee and asked them to select a person who would deal with party affairs.

Later in the day, he announced that he was not going to resign on the insistence of the party workers. "This is the last time I am taking my decision back," he warned.

He added that he did not want the RC in London or Karachi and was thinking of forming a new committee.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2014.