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Last person standing in face of BJP Haryana wave is a loyalist of party’s old malcontent Rao Inderjit Singh

Inderjeet Yadav, contesting as Independent, wins as Manesar Mayor, despite BJP stalwarts CM Nayab Saini and Union minister Khattar campaigning for her rival

Inderjeet defeated the BJP's Sunder Lal by 2,293 votes, garnering 26,393 votes against her rival's 24,100 votes

While the ruling BJP swept the civic body polls in Haryana, bagging nine of the ten mayoral seats, it lost the mayoral poll only in the Manesar Municipal Corporation in Gurgaon district where Independent candidate Dr Inderjeet Yadav emerged as the victor, even as the principal Opposition Congress drew a blank.

Inderjeet defeated the BJP’s Sunder Lal by 2,293 votes, garnering 26,393 votes against her rival’s 24,100 votes. The BJP candidate lost the election even though Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Haryana Minister Rao Narbir Singh campaigned for him.

This was the first-ever mayoral election for the Manesar Municipal Corporation after the formation of the civic body nearly four years ago.

Inderjeet is said to be an aide of Union Minister of State and BJP veteran Rao Inderjit Singh. During the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, she had campaigned for Rao Inderjit Singh in his Gurgaon constituency, from where he won for fourth consecutive time.

BJP sources said Rao Inderjit Singh had recommended Inderjit’s candidature for the Manesar mayoral poll to the party. A survey conducted for the BJP also reportedly pointed to her “bright prospects” if she ran for Manesar’s Mayor.

The BJP, however, decided to field Sunder Lal for the election. Rao Inderjit Singh never went to campaign for Lal.

Known for her oratorical skills, Inderjeet has a BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) degree. She is the daughter of a retired army officer Gurudev Singh. She has been actively engaged in social work since 2019. She says she worked for the needy during the Covid pandemic, especially helping people from the Purvanchal region by providing them ration, transport and medical facilities. She says she has got “considerable support” from Purvanchalis living in Manesar on account of her social service.

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During the election, her opponents tried to corner her by referring to criminal cases registered against her husband Rakesh Hayatpuria in the past. However, her supporters claimed that there have not been any “active cases” lodged against him in recent years. Hayatpuria has been engaged in dairy farming and real estate business.

Another Independent candidate in the Manesar fray, Vijay Singh, secured 9,163 votes, which proved to be a key factor in sealing the BJP nominee’s fate.

On her future political plans, Inderjeet says she would take a call after consulting the people of her constituency. As the Mayor, she says, she would try to resolve various problems related to roads, streets, drinking water supply, drainage system, traffic lights and transportation in Manesar town.