Congress-Backed Panchayat Chairman in Haryana Faces Mounting Pressure
In a significant political development in Haryana, Ratia Panchayat Samiti Chairman Kewal Krishna Mehta is confronting a serious challenge to his leadership. As the lone Congress-backed face holding this position in Fatehabad district, Mehta finds himself at the center of a growing rebellion within the local governing body.
No-Confidence Motion Gains Momentum
A substantial majority of panchayat samiti members have initiated formal proceedings to remove Mehta from his post. Specifically, 17 out of the 22 members have expressed no confidence in the chairman's leadership and have formally demanded that a meeting be convened to discuss the motion. The dissenting members recently met with Deputy Commissioner Vivek Bharti to press their case and accelerate the process.
The members backing this motion have leveled serious allegations against Chairman Mehta, claiming that he has consistently failed to discharge his official duties properly. They assert that he has repeatedly ignored critical issues raised from their respective areas, leading to a complete breakdown of trust and confidence in his leadership. The members have explicitly stated that no external pressure influenced their decision to move the no-confidence motion, emphasizing that their actions stem purely from dissatisfaction with Mehta's performance.
Political Realignments Intensify the Conflict
The current political turmoil traces back to significant realignments following the October 2024 assembly elections in Haryana. Kewal Krishna Mehta joined the Congress party during this period, alongside Bhattu Panchayat Samiti Chairperson Jyoti Luna, who has since lost her position. This political shift appears to have created tensions within the local governance structure.
Further complicating matters, when the BJP denied a ticket to then Ratia MLA Laxman Napa and instead nominated Sunita Duggal, Napa joined the Congress party along with Mehta and several sarpanches. Although Congress candidate Jarnail Singh ultimately defeated Sunita Duggal by a substantial margin of 21,442 votes, the BJP managed to form the state government. Since that political transition, concerted efforts have reportedly been underway to remove Mehta from his panchayat leadership position.
Previous Attempts and Current Challenges
This is not the first time Chairman Mehta has faced such challenges. On January 9, 2025, a no-confidence motion was brought against him in the house, but it ultimately failed because only 12 of the 22 members attended the meeting, falling short of the required minimum of 16 votes. Similar motions had been rejected twice earlier as well, indicating persistent discontent among members.
The political climate has grown increasingly tense following the removal of Jyoti Luna from her position as Bhattu Panchayat Samiti Chairperson on January 22, 2025, when 18 of the 21 members voted against her. This successful ouster appears to have emboldened those seeking Mehta's removal, creating a domino effect within the region's political landscape.
Key Figures Behind the Movement
The members who have signed the no-confidence proposal represent a broad coalition of dissenters. Notable signatories include:
- Simranjit Kaur
- Palo Kaur
- Ashok Kumar
- Sunil Kumar
- Jasvir Kaur
- Rajinder Kaur
- Sumanpreet Kaur
- Usha Devi
- Jaibir Singh
- Bagga Singh
- Aman
This diverse group of members has united in their demand for immediate action, calling for a meeting to be convened at the earliest possible opportunity to address their grievances and move forward with the no-confidence proceedings.
