C T Online Desk: Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) elections were contested for the first time by a transgender person who emerged victorious in the election on Wednesday.
For the first time, a transgender Sultana Ahmed Sagarika has won with huge response from the people.
Sagarika received 6,263 votes. She said that her closest rival candidate Nazma Begum got 5,700 votes.
She had participated in the elections for ward 19, 20 and 21.
Sagarika is serving as the general secretary of “Diner Alo Hijra Sangh”, an organization for the rights of the transgender. She herself could not survive in school after ninth grade as a transgender. Even she had to pass the previous classes with various tips.
She added: “Eventually, we have to leave the house. After that life is spent in various struggles.”
Sagarika is now a public representative after overcoming all obstacles. Now she wants to serve the people.
Expressing her gratitude after being elected as a reserved woman councillor, Sultana Ahmed Sagarika, a transgender, said: “The voters had told me: ‘I know you, I am with you, don’t worry’.” They kept their word. I did not think that I will get such love from the voters in the first election. Voters have elected me as a public representative by a huge margin. I will work for the welfare of those people.”
In 2000, the journey of the organization named “Diner Alo Hijra Sangh” began. The organization got registration from Directorate of Women in 2005 and Directorate of Social Services in 2007.
Sagarika has worked on the rights of transgenders, as well as participated in various activities. She had been active in politics since 2022.
Sagarika said: “My constituency is Ward No. 19, 20 and 21. I was 100% optimistic because people wanted something different. There were five candidates besides me in this ward. I am more popular among all. I got the pineapple symbol. I have no retreat anywhere. Voters gave me a huge victory. I will work for the rights of residents of the ward apart from my community.”
Mohana, the president of “Diner Alo Hijra Sangh”, said that Sultana is a candidate for all the three wards. Everyone worked for her. Most of the people were responding positively from the beginning.
“We are also happy with it. Someone from a backward community like us has been elected as a public representative. It will smoothen the way to get our rights,” she added.
