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

Meet Gulmaki Dalwazi Habib, 31, a business administration graduate who was chosen as the first Muslim woman to become the chairman of Bhadrak Municipality.

Of the 108 civic body election results declared on Saturday, only Gulmaki was elected as the president from the Muslim community. Independent candidate Gulmaki was elected president by defeating Sasmita Mishra of BJD by 3,256 votes. Gulmaki, who is new to politics despite her husband being a BJD leader, filed her nomination papers for the post after being encouraged by the locals.

Gulmaki said, “Initially, I was scared… but as the day progressed, people from all communities came forward to support me as they have faith in an educated woman like me.” He said that the town of Bhadak, situated on the Odisha coast, is inhabited by people from all communities. While 59.72 percent of the population is Hindu, Muslims constitute 39.56%, followed by Christians (0.12%), while the rest are Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains (0.02%).

“People voted for me because they want development of their areas that I can do,” she said, adding that her family members and local people campaigned for her. Asked how she will run the 30-member municipality, where the BJD has won a majority by winning 17 councillors, she said: “I think I can do politics too. My uncle, aunt and other family members are active in politics. My maternal uncle was a councilor and my aunt was elected vice-president many years ago.

However, Gulmaki admitted that she was initially reluctant to contest directly. “But the people here know my family very well and everyone insisted that I take it. From filing nomination till the day of counting of votes, their trust and cooperation ensured my victory,” she said.

This time during the elections and keeping in view the past experiences of communal tension, the State Election Commission, Odisha has appointed at least 15 platoons (30 personnel in 1 platoon) and a Deputy Inspector General of the Armed Forces to maintain law and order. rank officer was posted. ,

Gulmaki said: “I am born in a Muslim family, but as a president, I will act in an impartial manner. Development is my agenda. He said: “I have never had a bad feeling towards me. My Hindu brothers who worked for me during elections will never regret choosing me. I will work for everyone.”

According to political analysts, so far no Muslim woman has been elected as the chairperson of any civic body in Odisha. However, one Mohammad Akbar was the president of another Muslim-majority municipality in Kendrapara from 1983 to 1990. Though no Muslim woman MLA has been elected so far, Congress’s Mohammed Mokim is now the only Muslim face in the assembly after winning Cuttack from Barabati. Assembly constituencies in Cuttack City.

Earlier, Matlub Ali and Habibullah Khan had been ministers in the state during the Congress rule. The ruling BJD has also sent Munna Khan from the state to the Rajya Sabha. The Muslim community is less than 3% of the population of Odisha.

Originally published at Pen 18