Voting on no-trust move against Rohtak ZP chief deferred again

Voting on the no-confidence motion against Rohtak Zila Parishad president Manju Hooda was postponed yet again on Wednesday.

Ten of the 14 Zila Parishad members who sought the no-confidence motion arrived for the meeting, but it was cancelled due to the disqualification of five of the 10 members from participating. This debarment issue is scheduled for a hearing in the Punjab and Haryana High Court on November 6.

Zila Parishad vice-president Anil Hooda and other members behind the motion alleged that political pressure led to the postponement. "There was no legal sanctity of the orders to debar five members. The Deputy Commissioner has postponed the meeting under political pressure from the state government. We will approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court," said Anil Hooda.

This is the second time that the no-confidence motion has been deferred. Rohtak Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar had scheduled a meeting on October 23, which was also cancelled. Just two days before that date, the son of Parishad member Neelam Khatri was allegedly kidnapped. Khatri accused parishad president Manju Hooda and her husband, Rajesh alias Sarkari — a former gangster — of orchestrating the kidnapping to secure her vote.

Following her allegations, the police registered a case against the parishad president and her husband. The October 23 meeting was then called off when the Deputy Commissioner reported illness, preventing him from attending.

That same day, weapons were discovered in vehicles at the meeting location, leading to the detention of three individuals. Upon verification, the weapons were found to be licensed, and the individuals were subsequently released.

No legal sanctity

There was no legal sanctity of the orders to debar five members. The Deputy Commissioner has postponed the meeting under political pressure from the state government. We will approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court. — Anil Hooda, zila parishad vice-president