Who Will Be BJP’s Mayoral Candidate
Rajendra Golcha’s candidature has compelled political analysts to re-evaluate the scenario from scratch.
Rajnandgaon – The mayoral post of Rajnandgaon has become the center of a political battlefield and attraction after it was declared unreserved under the reservation system. This is primarily because the city is represented by Dr. Raman Singh, former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and the current Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Even a minor political development in Rajnandgaon garners significant attention, with even a small ripple sounding like a thunderclap in the political landscape.
The hottest topic of discussion in the city today is that Rajendra Golcha, former city president and former district general secretary of the BJP, has expressed his willingness to contest the mayoral elections and the same adds complexity to BJP’s equation in Dr. Raman’s constituency.
Golcha, who recently turned 60, is senior to and more active than most of the other BJP aspirants. His entry into the race could lead to a new equation within the party.
A prominent businessman in the local agricultural market, Golcha is a respected member of the Jain community and a well-known name in the grain and grocery trade. Active in the BJP since the 1990s, Golcha has earned Dr. Raman Singh’s trust through notable contributions. He transformed the local government school, Baldevprasad Mishra School, into one of the best-equipped schools in the state. His efforts were appreciated by Dr. Raman Singh, who appointed him chairman of the school’s public participation committee. Similarly, when he was made the chairman of the public participation committee of Government Kamaladevi Rathi College, he significantly improved its facilities, including revamping a dilapidated 100-capacity hostel to address the issues faced by female students.
Although Golcha hasn’t achieved the public figure status of leaders like Madhusudan Yadav, his prominence in the city and the business community has forced political analysts to reconsider their calculations.
If public discussions and opinions are to be considered, the strongest contenders for the Rajnandgaon mayoral position include former MP and former mayor Madhusudan Yadav, state BJP spokesperson Neelu Sharma, and popular, dynamic, and hardworking current councilor Madhu Baid. The emergence of Rajendra Golcha as a candidate has, however, caused ripples within the party.
For now, these discussions remain speculative, and the final decision will only be clear once the BJP makes its official announcement.
