Sofia Firdous: Odisha's first Muslim woman MLA, an IIM graduate, scripts history
Sofia Firdous, a 32-year-old member of Congress, has made history as the first Muslim woman elected as an MLA in Odisha, winning the Barabati-Cuttack seat. She triumphed over BJP candidate and renowned gynaecologist Dr. Purna Chandra Mahapatra, 69, by a margin of 8,001 votes.
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Despite 141 women having served as MLAs in Odisha since 1937, no Muslim woman had ever secured an assembly seat until Sofia, daughter of former Barabati-Cuttack MLA Mohammed Moquim, achieved this milestone.
Sofia acknowledges the significance of her victory as a Muslim woman but stresses that overall women's representation in the assembly remains low, with only 11 women out of 147 MLAs this term.
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«As a Muslim woman, I understand I made history. But women's representation in the assembly is not impressive. Out of 147 MLAs, we have only 11 women members this time. The number should increase. Women should come forward in every field, including politics. Women can see me as a role model. My ideal politician is former chief minister Nandini Satpathy,» she told TOI.
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