Jaipur: The battle for Rajasthan’s rural local bodies has turned into a test of political influence for several prominent families, with wives, sons, daughters and other relatives of senior BJP and Congress functionaries entering the fray in panchayat elections across the state.From a minister’s wife and sons to former ministers’ daughters, an MLA’s mother and a former MP’s daughter-in-law, members of political families are seeking a foothold in the grassroots power structure.Their electoral fortunes will be known on Nov 20, when the results for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti seats are declared. “The presence of these candidates was widely discussed during Diwali, particularly during traditional festive greetings. The contests have also brought the issue of political dynasties into focus at the grassroots level,” said a senior BJP worker.One of the most closely watched contests is in Sri Madhopur in Sikar district, where four members of minister Jhabar Singh Kharra’s family are in the fray. His wife, Shanti Devi Kharra, is contesting from Panchayat Samiti Ward 17, while his younger son, Ajay Singh Kharra, is the BJP candidate from Ward 20. His elder son, Durga Singh Kharra, is contesting independently from Ward 19. His younger brother’s wife, Pratima Kharra, is also contesting independently from Zila Parishad Ward 23.In Churu, former Leader of Opposition Rajendra Singh Rathore’s son, Parakram Singh Rathore, is the BJP candidate from Zila Parishad Ward 39, while his daughter-in-law, Kanika Singh, is contesting from Ward 23.Bikaner saw relatives of prominent Congress functionaries enter the fray. Former minister Govind Ram Meghwal’s daughter, Sarita Chauhan, is the Congress candidate from Zila Parishad Ward 26. Nikita Dudi, daughter-in-law of the late Congress leader Rameshwar Dudi, is contesting from Ward 13.In Udaipur, Mavli MLA Pushkar Lal Dangi’s son, Shatilaal Dangi, is contesting from Zila Parishad Ward 43. Banshilal Meena’s son, Deepak Meena, is in the fray from Ward 21, while former MLA Rajendra Singh Shaktawat’s nephew, Taraj Singh Jhala, is contesting from Ward 32, local BJP worker Ajeet Singh said.In Dausa, former minister Mamta Bhupesh’s daughter, Devangana Bhandari, is the Congress candidate from Zila Parishad Ward 19. Sikrai MLA Vikram Banshiwal’s mother, Shakuntala Devi, is contesting from Ward 21 on a BJP ticket.In Ajmer, former MLA Mahendra Singh Gurjar’s wife, Kamlesh Gurjar, is contesting for a Panchayat Samiti seat. In Bhilwara, former minister Kalulal Gurjar’s wife, Saroj Devi Gurjar, and Tara Kanwar, wife of district Sarpanch Sangh president Shakti Singh Kalivas, are also contesting for Panchayat Samiti membership.In Jhunjhunu, Harshini, daughter-in-law of former MP Narendra Kumar, is the BJP candidate from Ward 5.
