Savitri Jindal, mother of BJP MP Naveen Jindal and India’s richest woman, has officially entered the race for the Hisar Assembly seat as an independent candidate. On Thursday, the 74-year-old industrialist, wife of the late O.P. Jindal, filed her nomination, marking her return to the political spotlight. This move comes as a challenge to Haryana Minister and sitting MLA Kamal Gupta, who is contesting from the ruling BJP.
Savitri Jindal, listed by Forbes India as the richest woman in the country with a net worth of $29.1 billion, has previously represented Hisar twice in the Haryana Assembly.
Jindal’s decision to contest as an independent follows her failed attempt to secure a BJP ticket for the Haryana Assembly elections. Despite her aspirations, the BJP nominated Kamal Gupta for the Hisar seat. Addressing the situation, Jindal clarified that her candidacy against the ruling party does not equate to rebellion. She emphasized that she had only campaigned for her son, Naveen Jindal, in previous elections and had never officially joined the BJP.
“I have not taken any membership of the BJP,” Jindal stated when asked if her decision to run against the party would be seen as opposition.
Upon filing her nomination, Savitri Jindal reaffirmed her dedication to Hisar’s development and progress. “I have pledged to serve Hisar for its transformation. The people of Hisar are my family, and Om Prakash Jindal established this relationship,” she said. Jindal stressed the long-standing bond between the Jindal family and the people of Hisar, promising to maintain their trust and meet their expectations.
The Jindal family’s influence in Hisar dates back several decades, with Savitri Jindal first being elected as an MLA in 2005 as a member of the Congress party. She was reelected in 2009 and served as a minister in the Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led government until 2013. Earlier this year, both she and her son Naveen Jindal left the Congress party, with Naveen joining the BJP.
Polling for Haryana’s 90 Assembly seats, including the hotly contested Hisar seat, will be held on October 5, with results announced on October 8. As the election approaches, Savitri Jindal’s independent bid presents a challenge to the established political dynamics in the region.
Her entry into the race has added a layer of intrigue to the Hisar constituency, known for its political significance. The coming weeks will determine how Jindal’s independent campaign resonates with the voters of Hisar and whether her family’s legacy can secure another electoral victory.
