Everything is fair in love and politics, it’s said. Gujarat’s Chhotaudepur is set to witness a unique electoral battle as a family of four has entered the municipal elections, each contesting with different political affiliations. 

The elections, scheduled for Monday, will see a husband-wife duo competing in the same ward, while their two sons are contesting from separate wards under different party banners.

In ward no 6 of Chhotaudepur Municipality, Haji Farooq Mohammad Foda has filed his nomination from the Bharat Nirman Manch, whereas his wife Sabera is contesting as an independent candidate. Meanwhile, their elder son Arif is running from ward no 3 on a BJP ticket, and the younger son Ramzan is contesting from ward no 4 under the Congress banner.

Commenting on the uncanny scenario, Farooq Foda, a six-term municipal corporator, clarified that the multiple nominations within the family do not indicate any internal disputes. 

He said, “I have been elected as a corporator since 1991—four times as an independent and twice under the Congress banner. In the last term, I had to contest as an independent since Congress did not give me a ticket, but I still won. This time, political parties attempted to get my nomination cancelled, which is why my wife filed her candidature as an independent. However, my nomination remains valid.”

Elaborating on his sons’ political choices, Foda added, “Both my sons had sought BJP tickets, but for some reason, the party did not nominate Ramzan. As a result, he decided to contest from Congress. This will be the first election for both my sons.”

With family members representing different political fronts, the Chhotaudepur municipal elections have garnered significant attention, making it one of the most intriguing contests in the region.

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