Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Congress Alleges Tijara Councillors Detained Before Chairperson Vote
Tijara councillors were traveling back from Himachal Pradesh before an important local election.
Congress leaders say Haryana Police stopped a bus carrying about 18 councillors.
They say the councillors were taken to a police station in Pinjore.
Congress supporters protested outside the station and asked for their release.
A former Tijara lawmaker also said the police action was politically motivated.
Police have not confirmed that the councillors were detained as described.
Officers said they were checking what happened and which police unit stopped the group.
The election needs 18 votes to choose a chairperson.
Congress says the councillors’ absence could affect the result.
Congress leaders alleged that about 18 Congress-backed Tijara councillors were stopped by Haryana Police while returning from Himachal Pradesh.
The alleged interception occurred near Haryana’s Chandimandir-Surajpur toll plaza, according to Congress leaders.
Congress supporters staged a protest outside Pinjore police station seeking information about the councillors and their alleged detention.
Police have not confirmed the allegations and said they were verifying which Haryana police unit stopped the group.
The Tijara council needs 18 votes for a majority, making the councillors’ reported absence potentially significant to Monday’s election.
- Who
- About 18 Congress-backed Tijara municipal councillors, Congress leaders, Haryana Police, and Tijara police are involved in the dispute.
- What
- Congress alleged that the councillors were stopped and taken to Pinjore police station before the Tijara Municipal Council chairperson election.
- When
- The alleged interception occurred late Sunday night, shortly before Monday’s chairperson vote.
- Where
- The group was allegedly stopped near the Chandimandir-Surajpur toll plaza in Haryana while returning from Himachal Pradesh; a protest took place outside Pinjore police station.
- Why
- Congress leaders said the councillors were traveling together to vote and alleged that the action was politically motivated; police said they were verifying the complaint.
Congress Allegations
Police Position
Whether the councillors were detained
Congress Allegations
Congress leaders said Haryana Police stopped the councillors’ bus, took the councillors and vehicles to Pinjore police station, and prevented them from returning to Tijara.
Police Position
Police have not confirmed the allegations as described and said they were verifying the complaint and identifying the Haryana police unit involved.
Motivation for the action
Congress Allegations
Congress leaders, including former Tijara MLA Sandeep Yadav and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, alleged that the action was politically motivated and aimed at affecting the chairperson election.
Police Position
No official police finding establishing a political motive was reported; police said they were examining what happened before taking legal action.
Effect on the election
Congress Allegations
Congress said the councillors might not reach Tijara in time, potentially affecting its claimed majority of 18 votes.
Police Position
The reported effect on the election remained unresolved because authorities had not confirmed the alleged detention or whether the councillors would be unable to vote.
- Council size
- The Tijara Municipal Council has 35 wards.
- Majority mark
- Eighteen votes are required to elect the chairperson.
- Election timing
- The chairperson election was scheduled for Monday.
- Reported group
- Congress leaders alleged that about 18 to 19 Congress-backed councillors were stopped.
- Travel route
- The councillors were reportedly returning from a stay in Himachal Pradesh.
- Alleged interception site
- Chandimandir-Surajpur toll plaza in Haryana.
- Police position
- Tijara DSP Shivraj Singh said the allegations were being examined and the relevant Haryana police unit was being identified.
- Council composition
- Available election data cited 31 independent councillors, three BJP councillors, and one Congress councillor.