RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, May 23: Rashida Khatoon defeated her husband Hafiz Ansari in the recently held second phase of the Panchayat election in ward 3 of Pithoria in Kanke block of Ranchi district, demonstrating the deep roots of democracy.
Out of a total of 274 votes polled for the election of ward member, Khatoon received 155 votes while her husband got 119. Khatoon defeated her husband with a margin of 36 votes in a direct contest.
Ansari confirmed the victory of his wife saying he will play the role of strong opposition.
“I am happy that my wife defeated me. However, my role is not over. I will stand by those who have supported me in the election. I will play the role of strong opposition. I will raise my voice against my wife if she will not work in the interest of people,” Ansari, who is a farmer by profession, told lagatar24.com.
On being contacted, Khatoon, a homemaker, said it was not the first time she had won.
“This is the third consecutive time I have won. Though the victory margin remained low as my husband contested against me, I made a hat trick. I have always served people and keep on doing so,” Khatoon said.
Asked about the victory margin earlier, Khatoon said: “It was above 100 and 200 respectively.”
On the question of how she made a hat trick, Khatoon said: “My two sons, Azhar Ansari and Azad Ansari, besides my husband’s sister extended their support to me.”
On being asked how come Ansari could get such a big number of votes contesting for the first time, she said her daughters, Sohana Parveen and Sabba Parveen, supported him.
When asked about how she will manage her work, she said everybody in her family is self-dependent and does their jobs properly.
“My elder son Azhar is preparing for a competitive examination while my younger son Azad, apart from pursuing his education, also runs a garment shop. Both the daughters are pursuing their education and can take their decision independently. In this situation, I do not have any problem with sparing time. I am managing my family and ward both,” she said.
