Bhadrak: Gulmaki Dalwazi Habib has become the first Muslim woman chairperson of Bhadrak Municipality of Odisha after winning the civic body election.
31-year-old, Business Administration graduate defeated Sasmita Mishra of the BJD by 3,256 votes.
Though her husband has been a BJD leader, Gulmaki filed her nomination papers for the post as an independent after being encouraged by the local people. In the 30-member municipality, BJD has secured a majority by winning 17 councilors.
Bhadrak town, situated on the Odisha coast, has 39.56 per cent Muslim population.
Gulamki’s uncle, aunts and others in the family are active in politics. Her maternal uncle was a councilor and her maternal aunt was elected as vice-chairman many years ago.
Gulmaki contested the elections after people insisted her to do so. Gulmaki said that as a chairperson she would work in an impartial fashion. Her only agenda is development, she told. India Times quoted her as saying, “I have never come across any ill feeling towards me. My Hindu brothers who have worked for me during elections will never regret electing me. I will work for everyone.”
