Jamshedpur: The Mango Municipal Corporation election has gone beyond local civic issues this time, turning into a prestige battle among families of prominent political leaders.
With the wives of several heavyweight politicians contesting for the mayor’s post, the race has become intensely competitive and politically charged. Discussions among voters revolve not only around development but also around political legacy, family identity, and individual credibility.
Sudha Gupta, wife of former minister Banna Gupta, is contesting as a Congress-supported candidate. She is seeking votes on the basis of development works and achievements during her husband’s tenure as a minister.
On the other hand, Kumkum Srivastava, wife of former BJP metropolitan president Rajkumar Srivastava, is also in the fray and campaigning vigorously. Adding further intensity to the contest, Sandhya Singh, wife of BJP Trade Cell state convenor Neeraj Singh, is contesting as an NDA-supported candidate. She is appealing to voters on the plank of nationalism and development, and has been actively engaging in foot marches and door-to-door outreach to consolidate support.
For the first time in Mango’s political landscape, families of major political figures are directly pitted against each other in a civic election. The contest has thus become not just a test of public mandate but also of influence, recognition, and personal political assertion. It remains to be seen whom the voters ultimately choose.
Making the race even more intriguing is Shaista Parveen, also known as Jeba Khan, the wife of Congress leader Firoz Khan. After being suspended from the party, Jeba Khan has adopted an openly rebellious stance and entered the fray independently. Calling her suspension unjust, she is attempting to turn it into a political advantage and is seeking public support in the name of protecting people’s rights. She maintains that this election is not about party banners but about safeguarding the rights and interests of the people.
