In an embarrassment to Bharatiya Janata Party, Mridula Katheria, wife of senior leader and party candidate from Etawah, Ram Shankar Katheria, has filed nomination as an independent candidate with a resolve to defeat her husband and teach BJP a lesson.

After filing her nomination papers, Mridula Katheria told reporters at Etawah collectorate that she was not angry with her husband. “The BJP had assured me ticket from Etawah and I was making preparations for the last many years. But at the last minute my name was struck off and the ticket was given to my husband,” she said on Tuesday.

She said the people of this area wanted her as BJP candidate. “On their suggestions, I filed my nomination papers as an independent candidate,” she said.

Ram Shankar Katheria, who is Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes, is the sitting MP from Agra but this time he has been asked to contest election from Etawah in place of Ashok Dohre. He refused to give his reaction on his wife’s decision to file nomination papers against him.

Mridula Katheria said: “In democracy, everybody has the right to contest election. So, I have filed the papers and will emerge victorious too.”

A senior BJP leader in Lucknow, however, said that it appeared to be a family feud. “Do not worry, she will withdraw her nomination and actively participate in the canvassing of her husband,” he said. 

Meanwhile, sitting MP from Etawah, Ashok Dohre, who has been denied ticket, switched over to Congress and is contesting election on its symbol.