In the closely connected boroughs of Brent and Harrow, where diverse communities, civic issues and political networks frequently overlap, questions are mounting after two well-known Conservative councillors, noted for their collaborative work across borough boundaries, have not appeared on their party’s official lists of candidates for the upcoming council elections.
Kenton ward councillor Sunita Hirani in Brent and Harrow Weald councillor Ramji Chauhan in Harrow have, over the years, demonstrated visible cooperation on shared community matters affecting residents across both boroughs. Their mutual support for civic initiatives has been widely recognised.
Against this backdrop, their absence from the respective candidate lists has come as a surprise to many local observers, particularly as both councillors had previously been reselected by the party in preparation for the May elections.
In Brent, the Kenton ward selection process has already attracted attention, with earlier deselection and reselection developments widely discussed in local political circles and media. Hirani’s omission now adds a further layer of uncertainty to a process that has already been under scrutiny. She has since announced that she will stand as an independent candidate for Kenton ward and is listed accordingly.
In Harrow, the situation is equally striking. Ramji Chauhan is a longstanding councillor, a former mayor and an active public figure whose regular social media updates on ward work continued until very recently, indicating a clear intention to seek re-election. His absence from the final list of nominated candidates has therefore prompted particular curiosity among residents and party supporters.
There has been no clear or convincing public explanation from the Conservative Party, either locally or nationally, regarding these developments, nor any statement from Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ).
Given the councillors’ prior reselection, their visible and ongoing engagement with constituents, and their collaborative work across borough lines, calls are growing for greater transparency.
As the election approaches, local residents and party members alike are seeking clarity on why two established and closely allied figures are no longer Conservative candidates and, notably, why Cllr Chauhan, previously an active and visible campaigner and a well-recognised member of the Harrow East Conservatives Association, is missing from the political literature and has not been seen participating in campaigning for the party now.
Kenton ward councillor Sunita Hirani in Brent and Harrow Weald councillor Ramji Chauhan in Harrow have, over the years, demonstrated visible cooperation on shared community matters affecting residents across both boroughs. Their mutual support for civic initiatives has been widely recognised.
Against this backdrop, their absence from the respective candidate lists has come as a surprise to many local observers, particularly as both councillors had previously been reselected by the party in preparation for the May elections.
In Brent, the Kenton ward selection process has already attracted attention, with earlier deselection and reselection developments widely discussed in local political circles and media. Hirani’s omission now adds a further layer of uncertainty to a process that has already been under scrutiny. She has since announced that she will stand as an independent candidate for Kenton ward and is listed accordingly.
In Harrow, the situation is equally striking. Ramji Chauhan is a longstanding councillor, a former mayor and an active public figure whose regular social media updates on ward work continued until very recently, indicating a clear intention to seek re-election. His absence from the final list of nominated candidates has therefore prompted particular curiosity among residents and party supporters.
There has been no clear or convincing public explanation from the Conservative Party, either locally or nationally, regarding these developments, nor any statement from Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ).
Given the councillors’ prior reselection, their visible and ongoing engagement with constituents, and their collaborative work across borough lines, calls are growing for greater transparency.
As the election approaches, local residents and party members alike are seeking clarity on why two established and closely allied figures are no longer Conservative candidates and, notably, why Cllr Chauhan, previously an active and visible campaigner and a well-recognised member of the Harrow East Conservatives Association, is missing from the political literature and has not been seen participating in campaigning for the party now.
Harrow Monitoring Group 