BJP Chooses Spouses of Male Leaders for Key Mayoral Positions in Upcoming Civic Polls
In a significant political development ahead of the municipal elections in Jharkhand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its support for spouses of male party members for mayoral posts in three key municipal corporations. The elections for the Mango Municipal Corporation (MMC) and Jugsalai Municipal Council (JMC) are scheduled to take place on February 23, with the party extending its backing to candidates based on familial connections to established party leaders.
Candidate Selection and Party Strategy
The saffron party has decided to back Sandhya Singh, wife of BJP leader Niraj Singh, for the mayoral post in MMC. Similarly, in JMC, the party will support Rinku Singh, wife of BJP leader and RSS karyakarta Guddu Singh. Although civic body polls in the region are not officially contested on party lines, all major political parties typically have clear favorites for various positions, and the BJP's move aligns with this practice.
Both Sandhya and Rinku have publicly stated their commitment to addressing local issues if elected. "Garbage disposal, water scarcity, and erratic power supply are the primary concerns of the people. I will sincerely work to address these problems," Sandhya Singh emphasized. Rinku Singh highlighted specific demands for her area, saying, "Tata Steel UISL amenities in Jugsalai, women's degree college, vehicles parking zone in market areas, potable water, and regular power supply are the primary demands of the area residents, and I will work to provide these to the people."
Expansion of Support to Adityapur
In the adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan district, the BJP has extended its support to Prabhasini Kalundia for the mayoral post of the Adityapur Municipal Corporation (AMC). Prabhasini, who has served as a ward member three times and is an active BJP member, is reportedly close to former chief minister Champai Soren, adding another layer of political significance to her candidacy.
Internal Party Dynamics and Reactions
The party's decision has sparked internal discussions and reactions. Insiders pointed out that Sandhya Singh is neither an active BJP member nor involved in social work, suggesting that her candidacy is primarily due to the influence of her husband, Niraj Singh, who serves as a state convenor of the party's traders cell. This has led to some discontent within the party ranks.
Meanwhile, BJP's former East Singhbhum district president, Raj Kumar Srivastava, has fielded his wife, Kumkum, for the Mango mayoral seat, indicating a trend of familial nominations. In a notable development, Lucky Singh, a member of BJP's Jamshedpur Mahila Morcha, announced her resignation from the party after being denied support for the mayoral post in Mango, highlighting internal friction.
BJP's Jamshedpur Mahila Morcha president, Nilu Machua, addressed the situation, stating, "Several women members of the party were in contention for the mayoral and chairman posts of both Mango and Jugsalai, but organisational discipline has to be followed." This underscores the party's emphasis on hierarchy and loyalty in candidate selection.
BJP mahanagar unit secretary Anil Modi defended the choice of Rinku Singh, noting, "Rinku is involved in social work," which may be an attempt to balance criticisms regarding the qualifications of other candidates.
Broader Implications for Local Governance
This move by the BJP reflects a strategic approach to the upcoming municipal elections, leveraging the influence of established male leaders through their spouses. It raises questions about gender representation and internal party democracy, as women candidates are being promoted based on marital ties rather than independent political credentials. The elections are poised to be a test of this strategy, with outcomes likely to influence future party tactics in local governance across Jharkhand.
As the February 23 polling date approaches, all eyes will be on how these candidates perform and whether the BJP's support translates into electoral success, potentially shaping urban policies and issues in the Kolhan region, including districts like East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, and Seraikela-Kharsawan.
