Sat Apr 26 05:21:41 UTC 2025: ## Gurugram Mayor’s Husband Appointment Sparks Controversy
**GURUGRAM, INDIA (April 26, 2025)** – The appointment of Gurugram Mayor Raj Rani Malhotra’s husband, Tilak Raj, as her advisor has ignited a political firestorm. The Congress party alleges the appointment violates the spirit of constitutional provisions designed to empower women through reserved seats in Parliament and Panchayati Raj institutions.
Mayor Malhotra, who won a landslide victory last month, appointed Mr. Raj on April 21st. The appointment, described as honorary and voluntary, grants Mr. Raj advisory capacity without any remuneration.
Congress leader Pearl Choudhary criticized the move on social media and in an interview with The Hindu, calling it “immoral” and a backdoor attempt to allow the Mayor’s husband to control the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG). Ms. Choudhary questioned the purpose of reserving seats for women if their male relatives are permitted to effectively run their offices. She suggested that other experienced women within the BJP could have been appointed instead. The Congress also accused the BJP of hypocrisy, highlighting the apparent contradiction between opposing dynasty politics and facilitating such appointments.
Mr. Raj has not yet responded to the allegations.
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