Jhunjhunu: Sushila Sigda, a three-time pradhan of Jhunjhunu Panchayat Samiti, returned to Congress after about seven years, leaving the BJP Friday, the last day for filing nominations for the Jhunjhunu Zila Parishad elections.Congress fielded her from Ward 6, setting up a contest against Anamika, the younger daughter-in-law of former MP Narendra Kumar, whom the BJP has nominated from the same ward.Sigda joined Congress about two hours before the nomination deadline at Vidyarthi Bhavan, where district president and Mandawa MLA Rita Chaudhary welcomed her. MP Brijendra Ola and Chaudhary played a key role in bringing her back to the party, according to sources.Sigda had been seeking a BJP ticket from Ward 6. However, after the party decided to field Anamika, she chose to leave the BJP and return to Congress.Questioning former MP Narendra Kumar’s working style and the party’s ticket distribution, Sigda alleged that old party workers were being sidelined and that preference was being given to people within a limited circle. She said she decided to leave the BJP when even workers associated with her were not getting political opportunities.Her return comes as the two parties prepare to contest the same ward with candidates linked to their respective political networks.Sigda first became pradhan in 2000 after winning the election and went on to hold the post three times, maintaining a presence in Jhunjhunu Panchayat Samiti politics over the years.
