President’s relative contests as independent

Lucknow: The saffron party is facing an embarrassing situation in Kanpur Dehat where a relative of President Ram Nath Kovind stated that she will contest the post of chairperson of Jhinjhak Nagar Palika as an independent candidate, against the official BJP candidate. 

The relative is Deepa Kovind, wife of Pankaj Kovind, a nephew of the President. 

Ms Deepa said that she had applied for a ticket from the BJP but was denied the same. Another relative of the President —his sister-in-law Vidyavati has also applied for a ticket for the chairperson’s post but was denied the same. 

However, Vidyavati has decided not to contest the election now. Deepa Kovind, on the other hand, has opened her election office in her house and all relative are helping her in the campaign.

“I am contesting the election on the strength of my supporters. I do not expect my father-in-law Ram Nath Kovind to support my campaign because his stature is way beyond these elections. I will ensure development of Jhinjhak if I win the elections”, she said.  The BJP has fielded Sarojini Devi Kori for the chairperson’s post in Jhinjhak.