The Congress party on Saturday questioned the abrupt removal of Megha Bhandari, vice-president-cum-chairperson at the Haryana Welfare Society for Persons with Speech and Hearing Impairment (HWSPSHI) and a former Karnal BJP councillor.
Opposition leaders cornered the BJP for its silence on the development and alleged that she was removed days before her tenure would end, due to complaints of corruption and nepotism.
In its order issued on July 30, Haryana governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh, exercising powers under Article 7(3) of the Constitution of the HWSPSHI, relieved Bhandari of the charge with immediate effect.
The governor, who is also the president of the society, appointed Krishan Kumar Chopra, honorary general secretary, to the post.
Bhandari was appointed by the then governor Bandaru Dattatraya on August 14, 2024, for a two-year period.
Karnal Congress Committee (Urban) president Parag Gaba said that the governor removing her from the post two weeks before her tenure would end, raises several questions.
Gaba also shared an official representation by BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP from Himachal Pradesh, Harsh Mahajan to the governor from July 27, 2025.
{{/usCountry}}Gaba also shared an official representation by BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP from Himachal Pradesh, Harsh Mahajan to the governor from July 27, 2025.
{{/usCountry}}The letter, a copy of which HT has, mentions complaints Mahajan received from Piyush Modgil, an HP resident and a social worker in the field of disability rights.
The MP mentions that Modgil submitted three representations in July 2025, highlighting “Serious allegations of corruption, nepotism, illegal promotions and irregularities in the recruitment process” within the Society.
“These complaints point towards misuse of power, conflict of interest within the selection committee and favouritism in appointments,” Mahajan told the governor.
“He (Modgil) further states that despite earlier submissions to the competent authorities, no visible action has been taken, and he fears that the matter may not have reached your office,” he concluded, requesting action in the case “Concerning the rights and future of specially-abled persons.”
Speaking with reporters at his office in Karnal, Gaba criticised the BJP and said, “First they stole temple donations and now they have not even spared funds for specially-abled children.”
He also highlighted a plea before the Punjab and Haryana high court by the society’s staffers regarding their pending salaries, some waiting for the last eight months.
Congress leader Nishchey Sohi said, “As a responsible Opposition party, they are just seeking a clarification for the public.”
Following the pressure by Congress, senior BJP leadership came to Bhandari’s defence, with Karnal MLA Jagmohan Anand leading the charge against the Opposition party.
Mayor Renu Bala Gupta, BJP district in-charge Bharat Bhushan and Bhandari herself also presented their side to the media.
Gupta said that Bhandari worked towards the welfare of the special kids, treating them like her own, uplifting the Society as a whole.
Meanwhile, outgoing Chairperson Bhandari said she was not removed due to the allegations, but because she completed her tenure.
“I’ve just read the BJP MP’s letter and Congress is just making baseless allegations. I can’t understand on what basis an HP resident Piyush Modgil is making such allegations. Regarding the recruitments, the writ filed before the HC was quashed. During these two years, I’ve discharged my duties with full honesty,” she said.