‘People wanted a leader who would focus on local issues, not party agendas’

Dr. Inderjit Yadav becomes Manesar's first independent mayor, focusing on development and civic issues after defeating BJP's candidate.

Published on: Mar 14, 2025, 05:12:15 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Manesar

Poll officials present Dr Inderjit Yadav with the victory certificate. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

Dr Inderjit Yadav has laid down the marker for development-oriented leadership in Manesar by becoming the first mayor, that too as an independent candidate, of the Manesar Municipal Corporation (MMC). After defeating Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) Sunder Lal Yadav by 2,293 votes—the only candidate to beat out the BJP among the 10 civic bodies that went to polls in Haryana—Yadav details her vision for Manesar in an interview with HT’s Leena Dhankhar.

Edited excerpts:

How does it feel to become Manesar’s first-ever mayor, especially as an independent candidate?

It’s an incredible feeling. This victory belongs to the people of Manesar, who trusted me over big political parties. Running as an independent candidate was challenging, but I was confident that people would vote for development over party politics.

What were the key factors behind your win?

People were fed up with political favouritism and unfulfilled promises. They wanted a leader who would focus on local issues, not party agendas. My campaign was rooted in grassroots development, better infrastructure, and civic improvements.

What will be your top priorities as mayor?

My first focus will be fixing basic civic issues: better roads, sanitation, water supply, and waste management. Manesar has long been ignored despite being a major industrial hub.

How do you plan to work with a municipal body dominated by independent candidates?

The good thing about independent leadership is that we are not bound by party politics. We are here to serve the people, and I will ensure collaborative governance. I will work with all elected members, regardless of their political affiliation, to deliver on our promises.

BJP had a major setback in Manesar. What do you think contributed to their loss?

The voters wanted accountability. They chose candidates who were active in the community rather than those who relied on party influence. This election has shown that people value performance over party loyalty.

What is your message for the people of Manesar?

I want to assure every citizen that I am here to work for them. This is a new beginning for Manesar’s governance, and we will focus on solutions, not politics. My doors will always be open for people, and together, we will build a better Manesar.

Will you join the BJP?

We are in discussions with our supporters and carefully considering the offer to join the BJP. I will announce the decision after meeting with MP Rao Inderjit Singh.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

Manesar

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!.

Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.