Party-backed councillors detained in Haryana ahead of Rajasthan local body poll, alleges Congress

Political tension over a high-stakes local body poll in Rajasthan spilled over into neighbouring Haryana on Monday, with the Congress alleging that 18 party-backed councillors and its chairperson candidate were stopped by the Haryana police while returning from Himachal Pradesh, hours before they were to vote in the Tijara municipal council chairperson election.

The allegations triggered a protest outside the Pinjore police station and a last-minute legal battle over whether the election could proceed without the councillors. Acting on their request, the Returning Officer extended the voting time till 8 p.m. under the Rajasthan Municipalities (Election) Rules, 1994.

The councillors had been staying at Kasol in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh since September 10 as part of the Congress’s effort to prevent defections ahead of the chairperson’s election on Monday, according to Congress leader Imran Khan, who was involved in managing the party’s campaign in Tijara.