PARSIPPANY — Mayor Pulkit Desai addressed his recent removal of two members, Frank Neglia and Dr. Bhagirath Maheta, from the Economic Development Advisory Committee during the Township Council meeting of August 4, saying residents deserve to understand the standards he expects of anyone serving in township government.
“My job as mayor is to make sure that any allegations that could harm the reputation of Parsippany or its people are taken seriously,” Desai said. “Many people have asked why I removed two members from one of our council committees. At the time, I chose not to publicly discuss the reasons because I didn’t believe it was appropriate to embarrass those individuals. I still don’t. However, I do believe residents deserve to understand the standards I expect of anyone serving on a township committee.”
Desai said he learned that serious allegations were being circulated accusing township officials of corruption, with claims that audio and video evidence existed to support the accusations.
“If someone serving on a township committee truly believes there is corruption, they have an obligation to report it immediately,” Desai said. “That’s how we protect the public and the integrity of our government, because with unverified accusations, you undermine public trust without giving anyone the opportunity to determine the truth.”
According to Desai, one of the removed individuals never brought the allegations to him or reported them through appropriate channels, and no evidence was ever presented for review. A second individual spoke to Desai about the allegations and told him there had been a misunderstanding and that the matter should be dropped. Desai said he accepted that explanation at the time but later learned the allegations continued to circulate within the community.
“That is not how responsible public service works,” Desai said. “We can disagree on policy, we can disagree on decisions. Whether someone agrees with me politically is irrelevant. But if you are going to serve the people of Parsippany, I expect honesty, good faith, and the willingness to bring serious concerns forward so they can be addressed, not spread as rumors or repeated throughout the community on social media.”
Desai said committee members have a duty to act in the best interest of the township and to uphold standards of honesty, responsibility and professionalism, regardless of who appointed them.
“That standard applies equally to everyone, whether I appoint them, the council appointed them, or they were appointed by a previous administration,” he said. “Credit goes to the council that when I brought this information to them, they took action on their removal.”
Desai said he hopes the situation serves as a reminder that public service comes with a responsibility to act with integrity, speak in good faith and use proper channels when serious concerns arise.
Desai also addressed the removal of committee member Jigar Shah specifically, saying township committees are working committees meant to provide advice, generate ideas and help move initiatives forward.
“They are not honorary positions or placeholders on a resume,” he said. “I never believed in filling chairs. I believe in filling them with people who are willing to work. Public appointments are not rewards, they are responsibilities. Every appointment should advance the work of the township. Attendance matters, participation matters, engagement matters. When those expectations are no longer being met, it is appropriate to make a change to give someone else the opportunity to serve.”
Desai said the decision was not made out of animosity.
“They are made out of duty to the people of Parsippany,” he said. “This isn’t about politics, it’s about performance. The residents of Parsippany deserve committees made up of people who actively contribute, not simply occupy a seat. Out of respect for the individual involved, I won’t be discussing the specific reasons behind removing someone. I don’t believe it’s professional, productive, or fair to litigate those matters in public. My responsibility is to ensure our committees are effective, and my decisions will always be guided by what’s in the best interest of Parsippany, not by public debate over individual appointments.”
Council President Judy Hernandez also spoke on the matter at the meeting.
“I agreed with the mayor that the actions of those committee members were inconsistent with the standards of professionalism and judgment we expect from township advisory committees,” Hernandez said. “For that reason, I made the motion to remove them. Committee appointments are positions of public trust, and I believe those serving on them should always act in a manner that reflects positively on the township and the residents we serve.”
Neglia denied Desai’s characterization in a letter to the editor published by Parsippany Focus.
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Neglia wrote. “While I am friendly with the individuals mentioned, I had no part whatsoever in spreading any propaganda.”
He added, “Guilty by association is not a crime, and speaking to fellow residents is not an offense.” Neglia also called for the opportunity to respond to the allegations and seek reinstatement to the committee.
“All I am asking for is that exact same due process — the opportunity to sit down with those making these accusations and decisions so the powers that be can hear the truth from my side and, after the truth comes out, reinstatement,” he wrote.
The Economic Development Advisory Committee consists of 11 members, five appointed by the mayor and six appointed by the Township Council. Members must be township residents with knowledge of or an interest in the economic well-being of the township, and they serve without compensation. A member of the Township Council is designated annually to serve as a nonvoting liaison between the council and the committee.
The committee’s remaining members are:
- Frank L. Cahill, Chairman
- Anikait (Nick) Sota, Secretary
- Robert Peluso
- Raviram Medapati
- Nick Rafanello
- Cassara Grosso
- Mahesh Prajapati
- Diya Patel, Council Liaison
As of the date of this article, no new members have been appointed to the committee.
