Haryana Assembly Election: Who Is Manju Hooda? BJP's Candidate Against Bhupinder Hooda

Rohtak, Haryana — As the Haryana Assembly election 2024 approaches, the BJP has introduced a new face in the political arena by fielding Manju Hooda against the Congress heavyweight and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Rohtak. This is Manju Hooda's first foray into electoral politics.

The BJP has announced its list of candidates with the aim of achieving a hat-trick in Haryana. As part of this strategy, the party has opted for fresh faces, and Manju Hooda is one of them. She will be contesting from the Garhi Sampla-Kiloi constituency, a stronghold of Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who is expected to receive the Congress ticket for this seat.

Upon receiving her ticket, Manju Hooda expressed her gratitude to the BJP, stating that she is excited about the upcoming elections in October. Despite lacking a political background, she is confident in her ability to win over voters with their support and to meet the party's expectations. Manju Hooda respects Bhupinder Singh Hooda, referring to him as a father figure. Though her father adheres to Congress ideologies, she is a supporter of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Manju Hooda: The Wife of a Notorious Gangster

Manju Hooda is the wife of Rajesh Hooda, a well-known gangster from Rohtak. She recently joined the BJP and was appointed as the Vice President of the BJP Youth Wing. Manju Hooda hails from Gurugram, Haryana, and has been serving as the Chairperson of the Rohtak District Council since 2022. Her husband, Rajesh Hooda, faces numerous criminal charges, including murder, kidnapping, and robbery, across various police stations in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

In discussing her husband’s past, Manju Hooda maintains that his previous criminal cases are part of a bygone era. She views him as a mentor and role model, crediting him with inspiring her to engage in public service. Despite her husband’s criminal record, Manju Hooda emphasizes that he has never interfered in her political activities.

Internal Turmoil within BJP

The release of the BJP's candidate list has stirred considerable unrest within the party in Haryana. Several BJP leaders, including Ranjit Singh Chautala, Lakshman Das Napa, Karan Dev Kamboj, and Bishamber Singh, have resigned from their positions, reflecting the internal dissent triggered by the new nominations.

As Haryana gears up for the assembly elections, the contest between Manju Hooda and Bhupinder Singh Hooda is set to be a significant highlight, reflecting the BJP's strategic move to challenge the Congress stalwart in his stronghold.