In first direct polls, it’s a two-horse race for mayor of MCG in Haryana

Gurgaon: With two Punjabi women candidates in the contest — one is a 10th pass social worker, the other a graduate homemaker — the MCG mayoral election has evolved into a battle for domination over the Punjabi community, highlighting its significant influence in the city's political landscape.
In the first direct election for the mayor of MCG, only two candidates are in the fray, from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress. No candidates from regional parties and independents are in the race, making it a bipolar contest between two national parties.
BJP has nominated Rajrani Malhotra, wife of RSS veteran Tilak Raj Malhotra, while the Congress has fielded former BJP councillor Seema Pahuja, setting the stage for an intense electoral battle in the 36-ward municipal corporation. While Malhotra is a homemaker with a graduation degree, Pahuja is 10th pass and a social worker.
The election, scheduled for March 2, will see nearly 900,000 voters casting their ballots across 721 polling booths to elect a BC-A category woman mayor. The contest has gained particular attention due to its unique dynamics, with both major parties fielding candidates from the influential Punjabi community. Malhotra enters the race with advantages, including the party's robust organisational structure, RSS backing, and BJP govt in the state. Her husband's long-standing connection with the Punjabi community adds weight to her candidacy.
However, Pahuja, a two-time councillor, brings her own strengths to the table. Despite being a recent BJP defector, her husband Bunty Pahuja's social influence and her experience in local politics could prove crucial. The challenge for Pahuja lies in energising the Congress's relatively weak organisational structure in Gurgaon. Bunty, who is in the liquor business, is contesting on a Congress ticket from ward no. 32.
Political observers believe the election's outcome will hinge on several factors, including the crucial Vaishya community's support, which feels underrepresented in recent elections. The BJP's ticket distribution — which includes 11 Yadav, five Brahmin, four Jats and four Gurjar functionaries — has created some discontent among both Punjabi and Vaishya communities.
Congress functionary Ajay Singh Yadav said it was the grand old party that first gave a ticket to a woman from the Punjabi community that forced BJP to change its strategy and give ticket to a Punjabi woman. "People are fed up with the BJP govt and non-resolution of civic issues. They have turned Gurgaon into a civic mess," Yadav said.
Haryana BJP media in-charge Arvind Saini said during the assembly election BJP had won all four assembly constituencies with comfortable margins. "People have voted for BJP for three consecutive terms on the basis of the work done by the govt. People are aware who can bring development," Saini said.
The results will potentially reshape political alignments in the city.