PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The result of the three-tier Panchayat elections has proved to be a setback for many senior leaders of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Many of the close relatives of the senior leaders of the party and MLAs considered to be in the race of the coveted positions for presidents of their respective district Panchayat have lost elections from their district Panchayat seats.
Neetu Rawat, the wife of Lansdowne MLA Dilip Rawat suffered a defeat from Jaihari district Panchayat seat of Pauri. She was defeated by Jyoti Patwal by a margin of 411 votes. Neetu Rawat was considered to be a strong contender for the post of district Panchayat president from Pauri but her loss has changed equations in Pauri.
Another high profile candidate, Rajni Bhandari, the wife of senior leader Rajendra Singh Bhandari also suffered a loss in Chamoli . Bhandari was the incumbent president of district Panchayat of Chamoli and had shifted allegiance to the BJP along with husband Rajendra Singh Bhandari in last year’s Lok Sabha elections.
Karan Jeena, the son of BJP MLA from Salt, Mahesh Jeena lost the Babalia block Panchayat seat in Almora district. Similarly, son of Nainital MLA Sarita Arya and daughter- in- law of BJP MLA Ram Singh Kaida have also lost from their respective district Panchayat seats. Bela Tolia, the incumbent president of Nainital district Panchayat suffered defeat from Ramdiaan Singh district Panchayat seat of Nainital district.
The chief spokesperson of Pradesh Congress Committee, Garima Dasauni said that the rural population has rejected the BJP candidates in the Panchayat elections and anger against senior leaders of BJP and party policies is clearly visible in results.
