It is Madhu Chauhan vs Abhishek Singh in District Panchayat poll
By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 8 Jul: In the politically charged landscape of Uttarakhand’s three-tier panchayat elections, the contest for the Dehradun District Panchayat chairperson stands out as a matter of prestige between two of the region’s most influential political families. This high-stakes battle, transcending party lines, has drawn intense attention across the state’s political spectrum.
Madhu Chauhan, BJP leader and wife of senior BJP MLA Munna Singh Chauhan, is the outgoing president of the Dehradun District Panchayat and a two-time chairperson. She has once again entered the fray, seeking to retain her family’s stronghold on the coveted post. On the other side is senior Congress MLA from Chakrata, Pritam Singh, an arch-rival of Munna Singh Chauhan, who also commands significant influence in Pachhwa Doon and the Chakrata region. Pritam Singh’s brother, Chaman Singh, is a former two-time district panchayat president, though he no longer appears to be as active in politics as in the past. This time, Pritam Singh has fielded his son, Abhishek Singh, as the Congress candidate, signalling the next generation’s entry into active politics and the party’s intention to project him for the chairperson’s post.
While fierce contests are underway in all twelve districts of Uttarakhand among BJP, Congress, and independents, the Dehradun chairperson’s post is seen as a direct showdown between these two prominent families from the Jaunsar belt. Though party affiliation remains important, the contest is increasingly viewed as a personal and dynastic rivalry, reflecting decades of dominance in regional politics by both families.
At the heart of this high-voltage contest is the enduring tug-of-war between Munna Singh Chauhan of the BJP and Pritam Singh of the Congress in regional politics in the state, particularly in Pachhwa Doon. Both are sitting MLAs, and both have leveraged their family legacies to shape local politics. Congress stalwart Pritam Singh, by fielding his son Abhishek Singh, has made it clear that the party is banking on a fresh face to challenge the established order. Abhishek Singh, exuding confidence, has stated that Congress is contesting the elections with full force and is optimistic about a Congress victory in Dehradun.
Countering this, Madhu Chauhan, with her decade-long record of leadership and development, again would be the likely BJP face for the post. Her candidature not only reflects her party’s current position in power but also underlines her commitment to women’s empowerment and rural development. Madhu Chauhan today expressed confidence that her work would earn her another term, stating that she has always prioritised the progress of women and villages during her tenure.
The historical context adds further weight to this familial contest.
It may be recalled that since Uttarakhand’s creation, the chairperson’s seat in Dehradun has alternated between the two families. Pritam Singh’s brother, Chaman Singh, won the seat for Congress twice, in 2003 and 2014, while Madhu Chauhan secured victories for the BJP in 2008 and 2019. This balanced scorecard only heightens the stakes in the current electoral battle, as both families seek to surpass the other in a rivalry that has become almost traditional.
A noticeable pattern over the years suggests that the chairperson’s post generally favours the ruling party in the state, which could give Madhu Chauhan and the BJP an apparent advantage this time. However, the entry of Abhishek Singh has injected new energy into the Congress camp, making the contest highly unpredictable. Interestingly, it may be pertinent to remind here that Abhishek Singh had some years ago also been active in Congress politics but had resigned from primary membership of Congress in 2022. However, he is now back in Congress.
With seasoned leadership on one side and a political debutant on the other, this contest promises to be as fascinating as it is consequential, as both the families brace for another chapter in their enduring rivalry for dominance and honour in Jaunsari belt and in Dehradun politics.
