A councillor has quit the Conservative Party to stand as an independent at the general election – slamming the Tory contender as a ‘paper candidate’.

Chandra Muvvala has been a Conservative member of Slough Borough Council since 2021. But he says he quit the party in anger after it chose Moni Nanda – who lives in Chesham and Amersham – overriding local members’ preferred choice.

Mr Muvvala told the Observer: “We always wanted a local person to be the candidate – and the local Conservative association selected a local candidate.

“It wasn’t me, but the party has not chosen our candidate and parachuted in their own person. She’s a paper candidate – and with a paper candidate it’s unlikely you will win.”

READ MORE: Slough councillor who quit Labour will 'work against' party

Mr Muvvala added that he felt this was a mistake, arguing that the Conservatives have a better chance of winning in Slough with a candidate who lives locally.

He said: “This is a strong Labour seat but now the Conservatives have a strong chance. I thought it’s time to tell the Conservatives local candidates can do it – and be independent as well.

“You need to have passion for the town – you need to have commitment to the town.”

The Slough Conservative association did not respond to a request for comment.

Mr Muvvala published a manifesto on Monday, June 10, setting out his ‘key commitments’ and an ‘action plan'.

It included establishing a ‘police desk’ in every ward of the town, expanding Transport for London travel zones to Slough and hosting local public meetings.

He also said he would ‘collaborate with all councillors', create ‘volunteer groups’ for each ward ‘forge partnerships’ with business and work with neighbouring MPs.

Mr Muvvala told the Observer that being and MP and a councillor would help him best represent Slough. He said: “Being a councillor I can also work with the councillors and the council, and being an MP I can also work with the central government.

“The role of the elected politician is to bring the government to the doorsteps of the residents. The beauty with me will be I can bring local government and central government as well.”

READ MORE: Sadiq Khan in Slough to back Tan Dhesi after difficult week for Labour

He also took aim at Labour candidate Tan Dhesi, who he says had ‘done nothing’ in his seven years as Slough’s MP.

Mr Dhesi told an election campaign launch on Saturday, June 8, that he and his team had carried out ‘tens of thousands’ pieces of casework for Slough residents who came to him.

At the same event London Mayor Sadiq Khan said Mr Dhesi had lobbied to make sure the Elizabeth Line got its Slough station.

The Observer will be contacting all candidates ahead of the election on July 4.