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Sarpanches seek apology from minister after he ‘threatens’ village head
Development and panchayat minister Devender Babli told the sarpanch that the Right to Recall Act could be invoked for holding fresh panchayat elections if the villagers initiated the process of no-confidence motion against him
: The sarpanches of various villages under Bhuna block in Fatehabad on Wednesday sought apology from development and panchayat minister Devender Babli after he ‘threatened’ a newly elected sarpanch of action for not attending the minister’s programme.
Babli told the sarpanch that the Right to Recall Act could be invoked for holding fresh panchayat elections if the villagers initiated the process of no-confidence motion against him.
Upset over the absence of village sarpanch Narender Kumar during his visit at Nadhori village in Fatehabad district on Tuesday, minister Babli had said that he wanted to ask the sarpanch whether he wants development of the village or not?
“He had won the election by just one vote. If the villagers give it in writing, the sarpanch can face action. I have also congratulated him on his win and urged him to work for the development of the village without any biases. I have reached out to all sarpanches across the state for ensuring developmental works in the rural areas. But some people try to create unnecessary hurdles,” Babli had added.
The sarpanches said that minister Babli should apologise for the remarks against an elected representative and he can’t threaten to invoke the act against him.
“We will hold a state-wide protest at Tohana against him and the government for reducing our powers and threatening the sarpanches,” the sarpanches said.
Nadhori village sarpanch Narender Kumar, who won by just one vote, said he along with villagers will meet Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar to express their apprehensions.
“No new work has been started in the village after the formation of the new panchayat. But the minister and his aides were levelling allegations against me of creating hurdles in the developmental works. I along with villagers will meet the chief minister to raise our voice. How the minister can invoke the Right to Recall Act? The people have elected me,” he added.
