Uttarakhand News: BJP to Exceed Women's Quota in Uttarakhand Local Elections

In a significant move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced that it will field more women candidates than the mandated 33% reservation in the upcoming Uttarakhand municipal elections. Highlighting the party’s commitment to empowering women, BJP State President Mahendra Bhatt stated on Thursday that this decision reflects the growing association of women with the party.

Bhatt emphasized that BJP has always enjoyed the blessings of "matri shakti" (women power), which has been instrumental in the party's success. He added that several general seats are also being considered for women candidates, ensuring their representation exceeds the reservation limit.

Finalization of Candidates for Key Posts

The BJP has finalized its candidates for the positions of Nagar Palika (municipality) and Nagar Panchayat chairpersons. In a meeting of the election management committee held on Thursday evening, the party discussed three shortlisted names for each post, focusing on factors like the candidate’s public image, activity level, and winning potential. The finalized list of candidates will be announced on Friday evening.

The selection process for councillors, ward members, and other positions is nearly complete, with most names expected to be revealed by Friday.

Mayor Candidates Under Central Scrutiny

The BJP has sent the final list of mayoral candidates to the central leadership for approval. During Thursday’s meeting, detailed discussions were held on the strengths and weaknesses of potential candidates for mayoral posts. Key party figures, including state in-charge Dushyant Kumar Gautam, co-in-charge Rekha Verma, and former Chief Ministers Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Trivendra Singh Rawat, participated in these deliberations.

This strategic push to include more women candidates aligns with BJP’s broader vision to strengthen women’s representation and involvement in governance. The party expects this approach to resonate with voters and reinforce its commitment to inclusivity and progress.