GURUGRAM: Rama Rani Rathee of BJP emerged victorious in the bypoll to elect the councillor for Ward 34 of MCG. She won the seat by 2,696 votes.
This will be the second time that Rama Rani will become the Ward 34 councillor — she held the post between 2011 and 2017. She is the wife of the ward’s former councillor, RS Rathee, whose death in May this year necessitated the polls. Though her husband had contested the polls as an Independent in 2017, Rama Rani represented BJP.
She said some of the key areas she intended to focus on were infrastructure, security, and sanitation. “Being a former councilor of the ward myself and having seen my husband in the role over the past few years, I am well-versed with the issues in the area. I have a very clear vision for the ward. I plan to resolve infrastructural issues in terms of electricity distribution, water supply, drainage, and the condition of roads. In addition, sanitation as well as security are key areas that I will focus on. I will also develop more green belts in the ward,” Rama Rani said.
“The last few months have been very difficult for my family and me. I believe this victory is not just the result of people’s faith in me, but also a sign that my husband continues to watch over and support me,” she said.
Ward 34 includes areas such as DLF phases 1 and 2, MG Road and Sikanderpur village. Although it has a total of 28,668 voters, only 8,680 people cast their franchise on Sunday — a turnout of 30.2%.
“Voting took place at 30 booths across 12 centres. A four-member team was deployed in each. Additionally, five teams were also kept in reserve. The bypoll was peaceful and smooth,” said sub-divisional magistrate Satish Yadav, also the returning officer.
According to data shared by the district administration, a total of 5,342 people voted for Rathee. Of the other three candidates in the fray – all of whom contested as Independents — Zile Singh, president of the Saraswati Vihar residents’ welfare association, secured 2,646 votes. He was contesting for the second time. The other two candidates, Jagmohan and Mohit Yadav, an advocate from Sikanderpur, secured 573 votes and 66 votes, respectively. In addition, 53 people voted NOTA.
