Srinagar: A Kashmiri Pandit woman has defeated a Muslim candidate in the panchayat polls in North Kashmir's Baramulla district to become the first non-Muslim sarpanch in the Valley. Aisha Jee, wife of Radha Krishan of Wussan Kunzer, defeated Sarwa Begum by 11 votes.
The population of the village is around 1,000 of which just 11 are Kashmiri pandits.
"It is my Muslim brethren who elected me as their sarpanch. I am grateful for this and hope to live up to their expectations," Aisha told The Indian Express. "I will work day and night to solve the day-to-day problems of the people."
Aisha was garlanded by her Muslim voters soon after she was elected.
"Her religion is immaterial for us. We voted for her as she is an honest lady and development of the area is dear to her," said Muhammad Ramzan, a resident.
The ongoing panchayat polls have been a roaring success with around 80 per cent of people turning out to vote, far exceeding the polling percentage in the 2008 Assembly polls which was around 60 per cent.
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