A BITTER dispute between two Bradford community groups which go by the same name shows no signs of abating after nearly 14 years.

Both two parties claim to be the official branch of the Indian Workers' Association (IWA), with one now calling for a full democratic election to unify the group.

The other states it has no interest in a reconciliation, stating it had to call the police when opposition members allegedly caused damage to its day centre in Leeds Road last year.

Jagtar Sahota, who describes himself as an original trustee of the association, led a breakaway group in 2001 over what he perceived to be a failure to hold the correct official meetings.

After a period living in Shropshire, he returned to Bradford last summer and said he attended an association meeting in September where an agreement was made to hold a full election for the group.

He says this never happened, with the opposition group instead holding an annual meeting on December 26 where a new executive committee was elected.

"I have been invited to put the IWA back on track, as they have not done anything for the community for a while," said Mr Sahota.

"According to many members, the day centre has been used mainly for drinking parties.

"They requested the panel to delay the drive for membership until December because their members wanted to visit India.

"Surprisingly, they then claimed in January that they had already held the election in December, without informing the trustees, secretary general, acting president, and majority of committee members.

"I want a united IWA, and they are welcome to become members and participate in an election, but they must believe in democracy.

"It boils down to the fact they want to use the day centre for their group only, and do not want to participate in a democratic election as they are frightened of losing it."

Raghvir Sangha, who is the general secretary of the opposing IWA group, denied Mr Sahota's claims, adding he had not been involved in the management of the original association since leaving in 2001.

A solicitor's letter sent to Mr Sahota's group in April claimed members had been intimidated, threatened, and harassed by IWA members in July last year, also accusing them of "entertaining females" on the premises.

"There was a meeting in September, and we agreed that two or three members would look after the elections," Mr Sangha said.

"Then in November, when some of our members were in India, they came in and changed the locks, forcing the day centre to close.

"The police were called, but we tried to settle the matter amicably.

"They also froze access to bank accounts, and we have had to raise £2,000 since then to keep the centre running.

"Mr Sahota's group hasn't had anything to do with the running of the association since 2001, and as far as we're concerned, we don't want anything to do with them."