Former minister and Sirsa MLA Gopal Goyal Kanda has sought a vigilance inquiry into construction works being carried out by the Municipal Council in Sirsa, alleging irregularities in the execution of civic projects.
Kanda, who lost the Sirsa Assembly seat to Gokul Setia in the 2024 Assembly elections, has largely remained away from local politics. Although he has made public appearances at events in Sirsa, he has mostly been engaged in business activities in Gurugram and Goa. In his absence, his younger brother Gobind Kanda has continued interacting with local residents. The Kanda brothers are reportedly close to the BJP. While Gobind Kanda is openly associated with the BJP, Gopal Kanda has not officially joined the party but has praised the state government on several occasions.
In a letter to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, dated May 12, Kanda alleged that irregularities in civic construction works and demanded that tenders quoted at unusually low rates should not be approved. He also sought a vigilance investigation into the projects. The letter also called the CM’s attention to the fact that roads and streets in many areas of Sirsa had remained dug up for over a year due to sewerage and storm-water pipeline works, and residents had raised concerns over uneven interlocking tiles being laid on roads that were earlier concrete-paved.
Municipal Council chairman Veer Shanti Swaroop said the tendering process was conducted online and contracts were awarded to bidders quoting the lowest rates. Interestingly, Swaroop is considered to be close to the Kanda brothers, who had openly supported him during the civic body elections. Gobind Kanda said his brother had also written to the CM seeking that the 201 vacant revenue patwari posts in Sirsa district be filled so timely completion of farmers’ work can be ensured.
Notably, CM Saini visited Sirsa on Friday, from where he flagged off a special train to Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib in Maharashtra. Before his visit, the administration repaired damaged roads in the city and removed heaps of garbage from several areas. Gobind Kanda was also seen welcoming the CM.
