MLA's son weds to gift bride election ticket

The ruling Janata Dal (United) had refused  to give Ajay Singh, who is  facing nearly 20 criminal charges including murder, kidnapping and extortion,  ticket for the by-election of Daraundha Assembly seat, which fell vacant after  sitting MLA and his mother Jagmato Devi passed away.

In a bid to compensate his “disqualifications” to grab the opportunity, Ajay, the eldest son of the late JD (U) legislator, preferred the next best option.

  He decided to enter the wedlock so that his wife could become eligible for the Assembly ticket and carry forward the family tradition of being in power.  

Janata Dal (United)  chief Nitish Kumar had earlier issued strict instructions restricting persons facing criminal charges contest the elections on party ticket, come what may. But since the bypoll was scheduled for October 13, and the last date of filing the nomination paper was September 26, Ajay decided to get married at the earliest.  His relatives’ plea that Pitrapaksh (the on-going period) is not considered auspicious for wedding, fell on deaf ears.

Conditions applied

An advertisement was issued for his wedding. The clause for the prospective brides was unusual: The bride’s name should be in the voters’ list, and she must carry a voter I-card.    Besides, the bride should be 21 years of age. Preference would be given to the girl hailing from a political family, said the advertisement. Altogether 16 prospective brides responded out of which two were shortlisted. Eventually, Kavita, daughter of a mukhiya, was selected to be the  bride.

 Since the date of filing nomination was drawing to a close, the marriage was hurriedly solemnised at the Mahendranath Temple in Siwan in the presence of close family friends on September 17.

“If I get an opportunity, I will like try to fulfil the dreams of my mother-in-law,” said Kavita, a graduate from JP College in Chapra, soon after her wedding.

Kavita is planning to file her nomination papers on September 23 as soon as the JD (U) high command clears her name.