After Cong uproar, appointment of Gurugram Mayor’s husband as adviser withdrawn

Amid widespread criticism over the alleged promotion of 'proxy governance' in the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), the controversial appointment of Mayor Raj Rani Malhotra’s husband, Tilak Raj Malhotra, as her official adviser has been withdrawn.

The appointment had stirred a political storm, with the Congress accusing the BJP of undermining women’s representation by enabling backdoor entry for male relatives. Tilak Raj, a former BJP district president, was named adviser shortly after Raj Rani assumed office, prompting accusations of promoting 'Mayor Pati Raaj'.

Congress leaders claimed the move violated the spirit of the women’s reservation policy and enabled proxy control. “We are glad both the Mayor and MCG have come to their senses. BJP talks of women empowerment, but this move exposed their true face,” said local Congress leader Pankaj Dawar. He alleged the mayor had no administrative experience and was being led by her husband in official matters.

The backlash is said to have prompted the cancellation of the scheduled house meeting on Tuesday. The controversy has resonated across Haryana, with fresh complaints emerging from other districts about elected women representatives allegedly being replaced in practice by their husbands or male family members.