Medininagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Election: BJP Faces Internal Rebellion as Two Leaders Field Wives

Daltonganj: BJP’s electoral prospects for the mayoral post of the Medininagar Municipal Corporation have dipped with the party-supported candidate, Aruna Shankar, allegedly facing a rebellion from two party veterans who have fielded their wives for the post.

Aruna Shankar, the former mayor, is contesting for a second term. The rebel BJP leaders, Parshuram Ojha and Mangal Singh, refused to withdraw the nomination papers of their wives on the last day of withdrawal, February 6, despite heavy pressure from the party, a BJP insider said. The post is reserved for women.


Mangal, the former deputy mayor during Aruna’s term as mayor, is backing his spouse, Rinku Singh, for the post. Similarly, Parshuram, who was once the district president of BJP in Palamu, has put up his wife, Janki Devi, for the post. Ojha argued that he is known as the “water man” of the town, as he has always been up and working for a steady water supply to households, and therefore, he (his wife) deserved to win.

Speaking to TOI, Ojha said, “I believe I did more for the town people than anyone else. As this seat is reserved for women, I fielded my wife. What’s wrong with it?”

Ojha said he did not care if the state BJP refused to respect his feelings.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Mangal Singh. He said, “I, as deputy mayor, worked hard. Now my wife, Rinku Singh, is in the poll arena. I will go ahead no matter what the party thinks about it.”