Political Turmoil Erupts Ahead of Tijara Municipal Council Election
Political Controversy Surrounds Tijara Election
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Jaipur, Sep 21: A significant political uproar emerged just hours before the Tijara Municipal Council chairperson election scheduled for Monday. Congress officials accused Haryana Police of detaining approximately 18 councillors aligned with the party while they were returning to Rajasthan from Himachal Pradesh.
According to Congress representatives, the councillors were stopped late Sunday night near the Chandimandir (Surajpur) toll plaza in Haryana, where they had been gathered ahead of the pivotal vote.
This incident sparked protests outside the Pinjore police station, where Congress leaders and supporters organized a sit-in demanding information regarding the councillors and the reasons behind their alleged detention.
Imran Khan, a Congress leader from Tijara, claimed that a bus transporting the councillors, along with several accompanying vehicles, was halted by Haryana Police near the Surajpur toll plaza.
Khan noted that some police vehicles reportedly lacked visible number plates, while others had their registration numbers obscured.
He asserted that the councillors were taken to the Pinjore police station along with their vehicles.
Khan further alleged that around 18-19 councillors supporting Congress were taken away, prompting party leaders to gather outside the police station to demand their release.
He mentioned that the group had commenced their return journey from Himachal Pradesh but was still several hours away from Tijara when the alleged incident occurred.
Former Tijara MLA Sandeep Yadav, who was reportedly accompanying the councillors, also shared a video alleging police interference.
Yadav claimed that the actions were politically motivated, suggesting that the BJP was anxious about the potential for Congress to establish the municipal board in Tijara.
Congress leaders indicated that Yadav was later released, while the councillors remained at the center of the controversy.
These claims have yet to be independently verified.
Tijara DSP Shivraj Singh stated that the police were investigating the allegations.
According to the officer, Congress leaders asserted that their councillors were on a trip and were intercepted by Haryana Police during their return.
He mentioned that the police were working to identify which unit of Haryana Police had stopped the group and were verifying the complaint before taking any legal action.
The Tijara Municipal Council comprises 35 wards, with 18 votes necessary for a majority.
Election data indicates that independent candidates secured 31 seats, while the BJP won three and Congress one.
Given the high number of independents, garnering their support has become crucial for the chairperson election. Congress leaders claim that 17 independents have pledged their support, bringing their total to 18, which meets the majority requirement.
Consequently, the party relocated the councillors together as part of its strategy leading up to the vote.
Ashok Gehlot, the former chief minister of Rajasthan, remarked, "The chairperson is elected indirectly by the councillors rather than through a direct public vote. The BJP has now involved not only the Rajasthan Police but also the Haryana Police in undermining democracy. The arrest of an independent MLA in Hanumangarh, along with threats from the police-ACB to several Congress councillors statewide—these actions were insufficient, and now Congress councillors from Tijara, who were en route to vote tomorrow, have been halted in Panchkula, Haryana, and former MLA Sandeep Yadav has been taken into custody without justification."
"The most alarming aspect is that the Haryana Police already possessed photographs of the councillors, identifying them and separating them from other workers. This was not a routine check but a deliberate and targeted operation. It has come to light that these actions are being orchestrated by the Chief Minister of Haryana under the directives of the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. If this is not the case, then the Chief Minister of Rajasthan should ensure that these councillors, who are attempting to participate in the electoral process, are allowed to do so freely," he asserted.
"The State Election Commission must also take appropriate measures regarding this. The Chief Minister of Haryana obstructing the electoral process of another state in this manner is regrettable and should be condemned," Gehlot stated, tagging relevant officials.
If the alleged detention of the Congress-affiliated councillors is confirmed, it could significantly impact the chairperson election scheduled for Monday, as the vote will be conducted among the elected council members.
Congress leaders have expressed concerns that the councillors may not return to Tijara in time to participate in the voting.
However, police have not validated the allegations as described by Congress and have stated that the matter is under verification.
This incident has intensified the scrutiny surrounding the chairperson election, with attention now focused on whether the councillors will be able to reach Tijara and cast their votes.