Express News Service
BHUBANESWAR: Thirty-year-old Gulmaki Dalawzi Habib has smashed many social and political conventions. Fighting the polls as an Independent in Bhadrak, the 31-year-old of Puruna Bazaar space made the candidates of three main political events – the ruling BJD, BJP and Congress – chew the mud.
In the historical past of Odisha, there had by no means been a Muslim girl helming the highest publish of any municipality. That modified final week when she gained the election to the chairperson publish of Bhadrak city.
Gulmaki gained the election by defeating her nearest rival, Samita Mishra of BJD, by a margin of three,256 votes. While she secured 28,115 votes, Samita bagged 24,859 votes. The BJP candidate got here a distant third with 6,787 votes whereas the Congress nominee may solely safe 1,977 votes.
In a communally-sensitive city like Bhadrak, Gulmaki’s ballot victory was an consequence which was least anticipated.
Though there have been councilors from minority neighborhood up to now, the municipality chairperson publish was by no means helmed by a Muslim. The reality {that a} Muslim girl could possibly be alternative of voters, majority of whom have been Hindus, was one thing which even ballot pundits couldn’t predict.
The chairperson-elect mentioned she was each humbled and proud to be the primary Muslim girl within the State to be elected to the highest municipality publish.
“The whole of Bhadrak town is celebration my victory. People were steadfast in their support to me. I dedicate my win to both Hindus and Muslims of the town,” she mentioned.
Of the overall 30 Wards in Bhadrak Municipality, 12 are dominated by Muslims whereas two have a large inhabitants of the minority neighborhood.
There are greater than 87,000 voters in Bhadrak city of whom over 34,000 are Muslims.
Contrary to the notion, there was no reservation within the minds of Hindu voters in the direction of a Muslim candidate.
“While campaigning, I was treated like one of their own. In my personal experience, there is no divide between Hindus and Muslims as was being spread by some people during the elections. Irrespective of religion, voters showered their love and blessings on me.”
Though Gulmaki is a political greenhorn, her husband Sheikh Jahid Habib was the previous district vice-president of BJD’s youth wing.
In the run-up to the city native physique polls, individuals of Puruna Bazaar demanded a chairperson candidate from the realm which all the time bore the brunt of civic authorities’ neglect.
However, BJD ignored the demand following which Gulmaki filed nomination as an Independent candidate.
Development of the city is high on the agenda of Gulmaki, who maintain a level in Business Administration.
“Roads and drainage system need to be be drastically improved in the town. Especially in Puruna Bazaar, the living conditions are poor. I plan to work on these issues first after taking office.”
