The Gurugram Municipal Corporation has rescinded the appointment of the Mayor’s husband as an adviser.

In response to significant public outcry regarding the controversial appointment of the newly elected Mayor Raj Rani Malhotra’s husband as her adviser, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has rescinded its recent orders. Mayor Malhotra, affiliated with the BJP, faced backlash after designating her husband, Tilak Raj Malhotra, a former district president of the party, to this official role. Critics, particularly from the Congress party, condemned the decision as harmful to the principles of women’s representation and accused it of fostering a culture of proxy governance. During her campaign, Raj Rani was often criticized for lacking a distinct voice and being perceived as a mere figurehead, leading to concerns about her ability to fulfill her responsibilities effectively. The controversy surrounding the appointment was significant enough to prompt the cancellation of a scheduled House meeting, highlighting the tensions within the local political landscape. Local Congress leader Pankaj Dawar expressed relief at the MCG’s decision to withdraw the appointment, emphasizing that the BJP’s actions contradicted their claims of supporting women’s empowerment and instead perpetuated a system where a woman in leadership is overshadowed by her husband’s influence.