KIRAN CHOUDHRY, 64, Congress

TOSHAM

Educational qualification: LLB MLA’S electoral record: Kiran was a Delhi MLA before she entered Haryana politics following death of her husband Surender Singh, son of former CM late Bansi lal in 2005. A threetime legislator, she was CLP leader till recently.

I have successfully maintained all development works carried out by me earlier in my constituency, despite consistent non-cooperation of the ruling BJP government.

Constituency primer: Tosham is a high-profile seat mostly won by family members of Bansi Lal. After the death of Surender Singh, Kiran won the byelection with record 99.37 % votes. It was the only seat in 2014 where a BJP contestant was not among the top-four candidates despite a strong Modi wave. Drinking water continues to be a major problem here.

Electoral history:

2014: Kiran defeated INLD’S Kamla Rani by 20,741 votes. 2009: Kiran defeated INLD’S Gajraj Singh by 46,097 votes. 2005: Surender Singh of Congress defeated INLD’S Sunil Lamba by 22,612 votes.

How she performed: During her 15-year stint as an MLA, Kiran implemented several development works in Tosham, including setting up of a judicial complex, hospital, schools, colleges, stadia, an ITI and herbal park. She also played pivotal role in electrification of ‘dhani’ (homesteads in fields) and established an STP. She developed seven villages as model ones. People are, however, anguished over unemployment caused by ban on mining in the area.