Haryana: In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming municipal elections, BJP announces mayoral candidates for nine municipal corporations in Haryana. The elections are scheduled for March, with voting set for March 2 in Gurugram, Faridabad, Hisar, Karnal, Rohtak, Ambala, Yamunanagar, and Sonipat, while Panipat will go to the polls on March 9. The results for all corporations will be declared on March 12.
Demonstrating a significant emphasis on female representation, BJP announces Mayoral candidates and has nominated six women for the mayoral positions. This decision aligns with the party’s broader strategy of promoting women’s participation in governance and reflects its commitment to social engineering.
In Karnal, the party has re-nominated the incumbent mayor, Renu Bala Gupta, acknowledging her previous contributions and leadership. Gupta, known for her close association with Union Power Minister and former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, expressed confidence in securing a consecutive term. She emphasized the importance of a ‘triple-engine’ government—BJP at the Centre, state, and municipal levels—to accelerate development in Karnal.
For the Gurugram Municipal Corporation, the BJP initially announced Usha Priyadarshi, the state BJP women’s wing president, as its candidate. However, in a subsequent revision, Rajrani Malhotra, a member of the state executive of BJP Mahila Morcha, was finalized as the nominee. This change underscores the party’s deliberative approach to candidate selection, ensuring alignment with local dynamics and reservation policies.
In Faridabad, the party has fielded Praveen Joshi, the chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Joshi’s background in child welfare is expected to resonate with voters prioritizing social issues.
The Panipat mayoral race will see Komal Saini, the state secretary of the BJP’s Other Backward Classes (OBC) Morcha, as the party’s candidate. Saini’s nomination reflects the BJP’s strategy to engage OBC communities actively.
Suman Bahmani, a former district education officer who took voluntary retirement last year, has been nominated for the Yamunanagar Municipal Corporation. Her experience in education administration is anticipated to bring a focus on educational reforms at the municipal level.
In Ambala, the party has chosen Selja Sachdeva, a member of the state executive of BJP Mahila Morcha, to contest the mayoral by-election. The by-election was necessitated following the previous mayor’s election to the state assembly.
Rajiv Jain, former media advisor to ex-Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and husband of former minister Kavita Jain, has been selected as the candidate for Sonipat. Jain’s deep-rooted political experience and familiarity with state governance are expected to bolster the party’s prospects in the region.
In Rohtak, the BJP has nominated Ram Avtar Valmiki, the national vice-president of the party’s Scheduled Caste (SC) Morcha. Valmiki’s candidacy is particularly significant as the mayoral post in Rohtak is reserved for a Scheduled Caste candidate this election cycle.
Praveen Popli, the state vice-president for the NAMO app, has been given the BJP ticket for the Hisar mayoral post. Popli’s involvement in digital initiatives aligns with the party’s focus on leveraging technology for governance.
The BJP’s candidate selection process involved extensive deliberations among senior leaders, including Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, state BJP President Nayab Saini, and Haryana BJP in-charge Satish Poonia. The emphasis on women candidates and representation from various social segments indicates the party’s strategic approach to inclusivity and grassroots engagement.
As the municipal elections approach, the BJP’s announcement of its mayoral candidates sets the stage for a keenly contested political battle in Haryana’s urban centers. The party’s focus on experienced and diverse candidates reflects its intent to strengthen governance at the municipal level and address the aspirations of urban voters.
