Following the list release of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) first 67 candidates for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, one candidate has garnered significant attention. In the Garhi Sampla-Kiloi Assembly constituency, where the former Chief Minister contests, the BJP has fielded Manju Hooda, a prominent local figure who is the daughter of a retired DSP and the wife of a gangster.

This decision has set the stage for a high-profile contest against former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who is representing the Congress in the same seat. Her selection is particularly noteworthy as she will be facing Hooda, who has represented the constituency since 2000 and has won five terms, including three consecutive elections in 2009, 2014, and 2019.

Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s candidacy was reaffirmed by Congress on Friday for his traditional seat.

Manju Hooda's candidacy has attracted considerable attention due to her husband. Rajesh Sarkari, who is a history-sheeter with multiple criminal cases against him, including murder, in Rajasthan, UP, and Haryana. However, Manju insists that her husband’s past should not be held against her, claiming he has not been involved in criminal activities and that it does not reflect who he is.

Currently the chairperson of Rohtak Zila Parishad, Manju Hooda has downplayed the challenge of facing Bhupinder Hooda, describing him as a figure she deeply respects and from whom she will seek blessings. 

In her role as Zila Parishad chairperson, Manju Hooda has focused on community welfare and expressed gratitude for the BJP's decision to field her as a candidate. She describes her selection as a surprise and claims that she is commited to working hard in the elections to serve the people.