Who's Manju Hooda—Gangster's wife, BJP's candidate against Congress's Bhupinder Hooda
What's the story
Targeting a hat-trick in Haryana, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its first list of candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. This time the party has introduced several new candidates and incorporated defectors in its initial list. Among the fresh faces is Manju Hooda, a newcomer and zila parishad chairperson. She will be contesting from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi, a stronghold of former Chief Minister and Congress stalwart Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
Election outlook
Manju Hooda's confidence and political aspirations
The decision to field Manju, wife of gangster Rajesh Hooda, from one the crucial seats of Rohtak has not gone down well with some party leaders. Despite her lack of a political background, Manju is confident about her chances in the October assembly elections. She said, "I have said this earlier too that I have my hard work, belief and public support with me. I have no political background. I have just my hard work with me."
Political path
Manju Hooda's recent political journey and future plans
Manju recently joined the BJP and was appointed vice-president of the BJP Yuva Morcha. Despite her political differences with Bhupinder Singh, she said she has immense respect for him and called him a "father figure." Addressing concerns about her husband's criminal past, Manju said that it is a thing of the past and he has never interfered in her political work.
Party turmoil
BJP faces internal dissent ahead of Haryana elections
The announcement of the BJP's first list of candidates has sparked dissent within the party. Energy and Jails Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala and MLA Lakshman Dass Napa quit the party after being denied tickets. Former minister Karan Dev Kamboj also stepped down as state BJP's OBC Morcha chief following the party's decision to overlook his candidature.
Rebellion
Denied ticket, Haryana minister resigns from cabinet, to contest independently
Separately, Haryana Cabinet Minister Chaudhary Ranjit Singh Chautala on Thursday resigned from his post after being denied a ticket by the BJP for the upcoming elections. Later in the day, Chautala announced, "I will contest election from Rania Assembly at any cost. BJP had offered me to contest the election from Dabwali but I refused." The BJP has excluded nine sitting MLAs, including Chautala, from its first list of 67 candidates.