Tonk: A Pakistan-origin woman has been elected as Sarpanch in the first phase of Panchayat Raj election, defeating six nominees and winning by a margin of 362 votes.
The Pakistan national, identified as Nita Kanwar, came to India in 2001, to pursue her education and stayed with her uncle in Jodhpur.
After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree from Sophia College, Ajmer, she got married to Punya Pratap Kanwar, son of Thakur Laxman Kanwar of Natwara Raj family, in 2011.
It took her eight long years to gain Indian citizenship, which was finally granted in September last.
Kanwar drew popularity after she filed her nomination from Natwara Gram Panchayat in Tonk district.
Neeta had a whiff of political atmosphere right from the beginning, as her father-in-law Thakur Laxman Singh Kanwar had been a three-time Sarpanch from this region.
The Natwara seat was declared unreserved this year, so her father-in-law decided to field her in the contest.
“The development of the village is my priority, there is a great need to work towards education and health”, Neeta said with confidence, after winning the elections.
A new chapter of political innings of a foreign-origin girl has now begun on Natwara seat, as people reposed their faith on her. However, only time will tell how far she goes.
Voting and counting for the first phase of Panchayat elections took place in Rajasthan on January 17.
Over 11,000 EVM machines were used for the polls, held for 2,726 gram panchayats. (UNI)