Gulmaki elected as Odisha’s first Muslim woman chairperson in urban polls

Meet 31-year-old Gulmaki Dalwazi Habib, a Enterprise Administration graduate, who was elected as the primary Muslim lady to turn out to be the chairperson of the Bhadrak Municipality.

Of the 108 civic physique election outcomes of which was declared on Saturday, solely Gulmaki was elected because the chairperson from the Muslim group. Unbiased candidate Gulmaki, was elected because the chairperson defeating Sasmita Mishra of the BJD by 3,256 votes. Gulmaki, who’s a new-comer to politics regardless of her husband having been a BJD chief, filed her nomination papers for the put up after being inspired by the native folks.

“Initially, I used to be scared … However because the day progressed, folks from all communities got here ahead to help me as they’ve belief on an informed lady like me,” Gulmaki stated. She stated Bharkak city, located on the Odisha coast, has folks from all communities. Whereas 59.72 per cent of inhabitants are Hindus, the Muslims represent 39.56% adopted by Christans (0.12%), whereas the rest are Sikhs, Budddhists and Jains (0.02%).

“The folks voted for me as a result of, they need growth of their areas which I can do,” she stated including that her members of the family and native folks campaigned for her. When requested how she is going to run the 30-member Municipality the place BJD has secured majority by profitable 17 councilors, she stated: “I feel I may do politics. My uncle, aunts and others within the household are energetic within the politics. My maternal uncle was a councilor and my maternal aunt was elected as vice-chairman a few years in the past”.

Gulmaki, nevertheless, admitted that originally she was reluctant to contest the direct elections. “However folks right here know my household nicely and everybody insisted that I take this up. Their belief and cooperation all through the journey, from submitting the nomination to the counting day, ensured my win,” she stated.

This time through the elections and protecting in view previous experiences of communal pressure, the State Election Fee, Odisha had deployed a minimum of 15 platoon (1 platoon has 30 personnel) of armed forces and a deputy an Inspector Basic rank officer to keep up legislation and order.

Gulmaki stated: “ I’ll have been born a Muslim household, however as a chairperson, I’ll work in an neutral vogue. Improvement is my solely agenda. She stated: “ I’ve by no means come throughout any sick feeling in direction of me. My Hindu brothers who’ve labored for me throughout elections won’t ever remorse electing me. I’ll work for everybody.”

In line with political analysts, no Muslim lady has to date been elected as chairperson of any civic physique in Odisha to date. Nonetheless, one Md Akbar was the chairperson of one other Muslim dominated municipality in Kendrapara from 1983 to 1990. Although no Muslim lady has been elected as MLA to date, Mahammed Moquim of Congress is the lone Muslim face within the Meeting now after profitable from Cuttack Barabati meeting section in Cuttack metropolis.

Earlier, through the Congress regime, Matlub Ali and Habibulla Khan had been ministers within the state. The ruling BJD has additionally despatched Munna Khan to Rajya Sabha from the state. Muslim group constitutes lower than 3% of Odisha’s inhabitants.