Jaipur, August 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Jahazpur municipal election in Rajasthan has gained a youthful face with 21-year-old Saniya Khanam entering the contest as an independent candidate from Ward No. 6, saying she was inspired by the youth-led ‘Gen Z’ protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Saniya said the protest prompted her to move beyond expressing political views on social media and participate directly in the electoral process. After filing her nomination, she said young people should not restrict themselves to discussing public issues online but should also step forward and become part of political and public representation.
She described her decision to contest the municipal election as her own and said her family has supported her candidature.
Her entry has drawn attention in Jahazpur, particularly as several members of her family are also contesting the election.
Saniya’s grandfather, Nazir Mohammad, a senior Congress leader and former Congress councillor of the Jahazpur Municipality, has filed his nomination as an independent candidate from Ward No. 16. Saniya’s aunt has also submitted her nomination, adding to the family’s presence in the civic contest.
Nazir Mohammad’s decision to contest independently despite his Congress background has emerged as another notable aspect of the election.
Candidates from other political backgrounds have also entered the fray. Radheshyam Bareth has filed his nomination as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Ward No. 18.
Independent candidates Arvind Bhuvalia from Ward No. 7, Geeta from Ward No. 13 and Bhanwar Bandela from Ward No. 14 have also submitted nomination papers.
According to available information, seven candidates filed eight nomination papers on Wednesday, with Saniya emerging as the youngest candidate among them.
The absence of a Congress candidate in the latest round has also sparked discussion in local political circles, with no nomination filed on the party’s behalf during the round.
With candidates from varied backgrounds entering the race, Saniya’s debut has added a distinct youth-driven dimension to the Jahazpur municipal election.
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