Reena Thakur, a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Himachal Pradesh, captured public attention not only for her political potential but also for a dramatic scandal that abruptly ended her career. Born in 1983 in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Reena entered politics with promise, leveraging her oratory skills and grassroots connections to rise within the BJP’s women’s wing, the Himachal BJP Mahila Morcha. However, her journey took a controversial turn in July 2019 when a private video featuring her and fellow BJP leader Upen Pandit went viral, leading to her expulsion from the party.
Early Life and Family Background
Reena Thakur was born into a Rajput family in Shimla, the picturesque capital of Himachal Pradesh, in 1983. While exact details about her birth date remain unconfirmed, her upbringing in a culturally rich and politically active state shaped her trajectory. Her father, a retired bank employee, provided a stable middle-class foundation, though his name and further specifics are not widely documented. Her mother, a traditional homemaker, nurtured the family, which included Reena, an elder brother, and a younger sister named Babita Verma.
Growing up in Shimla, Reena was exposed to the challenges of rural and semi-urban life in Himachal Pradesh—issues like education, infrastructure, and women’s empowerment that later influenced her political focus. The Rajput community, known for its historical prominence in northern India, instilled in her a sense of pride and responsibility. Unlike some political figures with dynastic legacies, Reena’s entry into politics was self-driven, marking her as a first-generation leader in her family.
Education: Building a Foundation
Reena Thakur’s educational journey reflects a blend of local roots and ambition. She attended Government Senior Secondary School in Darlaghat, Solan district, Himachal Pradesh, where she completed her schooling alongside her sister Babita. This institution, typical of the state’s public education system, provided her with a solid academic base. Reena excelled as a student, showing early signs of leadership and determination.
After her schooling, she pursued higher education at Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla, earning a graduate degree around 1998-2000. While the specific discipline—whether arts, commerce, or another field—remains unclear due to limited public records, her university education equipped her with the knowledge and confidence to navigate professional and political spheres. Before entering politics, Reena reportedly worked as a teacher in a private school in Shimla, a role that honed her communication skills and community engagement—attributes that later defined her political persona.
Political Career: A Promising Start in BJP
Entry into Politics
Reena Thakur’s political journey began in 2007 when she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a dominant force in Himachal Pradesh politics. At the age of 24, she became a member of the Himachal BJP Mahila Morcha, the party’s women’s wing, where her eloquence and dedication quickly set her apart. Over the next 12 years, she emerged as a powerful grassroots leader, advocating for women’s issues and youth development in the state.
Her early work focused on Shimla and surrounding regions, where she initiated development programs and engaged with local communities. Reena’s ability to connect with people earned her praise from senior BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and then-rising star Jai Ram Thakur. Her role in the Mahila Morcha positioned her as a potential candidate for higher responsibilities, reflecting the BJP’s emphasis on empowering women leaders.
Rise Within the Party
By 2019, Reena had spent over a decade building her political career, balancing her roles as a wife, mother, and public figure. She was regarded as a “prolific young leader” within the BJP, known for captivating audiences with her speeches. Her work in the women’s and youth wings of the party showcased her organizational skills and commitment to BJP’s ideology. Rumors of her closeness to top party brass hinted at a bright future, with some speculating she could contest elections or assume a more prominent leadership role.
Reena’s political activities extended beyond Shimla, as she traveled to places like Manali and Kullu for party work, often alongside colleagues. Her visibility in Himachal Pradesh’s political circles grew, making her a recognizable face among BJP supporters—until a single event derailed her trajectory.
The Controversy: The Viral Video Scandal
The Incident
In July 2019, Reena Thakur’s career took a catastrophic turn when a 12-minute video featuring her and Upen Pandit, another BJP youth leader from Kullu, surfaced online. Shot in a bathroom in Kullu district, the video contained explicit content, depicting the two in an intimate encounter. The leak, initially spread via WhatsApp and later uploaded to platforms like YouTube, ignited a firestorm of public and political backlash.
Reports suggest Reena and Upen had been in a consensual extramarital relationship for nearly a decade, a fact known to their respective spouses. The video’s emergence, however, brought their private lives into the public domain, shattering their reputations and the BJP’s image in Himachal Pradesh. The party, led by then-Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reacted swiftly, expelling both leaders to distance itself from the scandal.
The Aftermath
The controversy deepened with the release of a 13-minute audio recording of a heated phone conversation between Reena and Upen’s wife. In the call, Upen’s wife confronted Reena, warning her to stay away from her husband and revealing she had known about the affair—and even the video—since February 2019. Reena admitted to recording the video herself, allegedly in a fit of rage, and sending it to Upen’s wife via WhatsApp, from where it reportedly went viral. This revelation intensified the criticism, painting Reena as both a participant and the catalyst of her own downfall.
Reena filed a police complaint, alleging unauthorized distribution of the video, while Upen faced similar scrutiny. The BJP issued show-cause notices before their expulsion, citing damage to the party’s reputation. Public reaction was mixed—some condemned Reena and Upen for moral failings, while others questioned the fairness of their punishment, arguing consensual acts shouldn’t end careers. Regardless, Reena’s political life was effectively over by mid-2019.
Personal Life: Family and Relationships
Reena Thakur married a small businessman from Shimla in 2000, at the age of 17 or 18, in a union arranged by her family. The couple has a son, born around 2012, who was 7 years old during the 2019 scandal. While her husband’s name remains undisclosed, audio leaks suggest their marriage was strained, with Reena citing an unhappy relationship as a factor in her affair with Upen Pandit.
Her relationship with Upen, a married BJP youth leader, spanned a decade, involving trips to Shimla, Manali, and Kullu. Despite warnings from both spouses, the affair persisted until its public exposure. Post-scandal, Reena retreated from the spotlight, reportedly deactivating her social media accounts (including Facebook) and maintaining a low profile with her family in Shimla.
Achievements and Contributions
Before the controversy, Reena Thakur’s contributions to the BJP were notable:
- Women’s Empowerment: As a Mahila Morcha leader, she championed women’s issues, organizing awareness campaigns and programs in Shimla.
- Youth Engagement: She bridged the gap between young voters and the BJP, strengthening the party’s base in Himachal Pradesh.
- Development Initiatives: Reena launched small-scale projects in Shimla, earning local support and recognition.
Her net worth, though never officially disclosed, was modest, reflecting her middle-class background and pre-political teaching career. Estimates suggest it ranged from ₹50-60 lakhs, including family assets.
Legacy and Impact
At 42 years old (as of February 21, 2025), Reena Thakur’s legacy is a cautionary tale of how personal choices can unravel professional success. Once a rising star in Himachal Pradesh’s BJP, her career ended abruptly due to the 2019 scandal. The incident highlighted the unforgiving nature of public life in India, particularly for women in politics, where moral scrutiny often overshadows merit.
Reena’s story also sparked debates about privacy, consent, and political accountability. While some sympathized with her, arguing the punishment outweighed the act, others saw it as a necessary cleansing of the BJP’s image. Her expulsion marked a rare instance of swift action by the party, contrasting with cases where male leaders faced lesser repercussions for similar controversies.
Post-2019, Reena has faded from public view, with no known political or professional engagements by 2025. Her case remains a reference point in discussions about ethics in Indian politics, particularly in Himachal Pradesh, where the BJP continues to dominate.
FAQs About Reena Thakur
- Who is Reena Thakur?
Reena Thakur is a former BJP politician from Himachal Pradesh, known for her roles in the Mahila Morcha and a 2019 scandal involving a viral video. - What happened to Reena Thakur’s political career?
She was expelled from the BJP in 2019 after a private video with Upen Pandit went viral, ending her political career. - Is Reena Thakur married?
Yes, she married in 2000 and has a son, though her husband’s name is not public. - What was the Reena Thakur-Upen Pandit controversy?
A 12-minute explicit video of Reena and Upen in a bathroom leaked online, leading to their expulsion from the BJP. - Where is Reena Thakur now?
As of 2025, she maintains a low profile in Shimla, with no public activity recorded since 2019.
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