Kandela khap splits into two

N Kalia

Haibatpur (Jind), July 3

The centuries-old Kandela khap has divided into two khaps during a panchayat at Haibatpur village in the district today. The new khap has been named as Majra khap and Mahinder Singh Rithaal has been elected its first president unanimously.

Earlier, the Kandela khap had its influence over 28 villages of the district

A mahapanchayat of Kandela khap was called at Kandela village on June 26 and several members raised their voice against khap president Tek Ram Kandela who maintained a distance from the second Jat agitation.

After the mahapanchayat, Tekram had claimed that he had been elected lifelong president of the khap, but members from 14 villages had called it unconstitutional and alleged ill-treatment at Kandela village by supporters of Tek Ram.

On the same day, the opposite faction of 14 villages had decided to form a new khap.

A large number of people from 14 villages took part and the panchayat under Mahinder Singh Rithaal.

The newly formed Majra khap would elect its executive council of 51 members soon.

About the newly formed Majra khap, Tek Ram said: “There is no division in the Kandela khap and we do not accept any new khap. A few people are trying to divide our khap at the behest of some political parties, but we have thwarted their move.”