Ballia-origin Neha elected unopposed in Sahnewal

AAP-backed Neha Chaurasia, a 23-year-old migrant woman, has been elected sarpanch unopposed from Shankar colony of Bhamian Khurd block in Sahnewal constituency after the writ petition filed by two of her opponents against the decision of the Returning Officer is learnt to have been dismissed by the High Court today.

Neha is a D.P.Ed from Govind National College Narangwal and a state-level hockey player. Born and brought up in Punjab, Neha, along with her panch mother Vidyavati Devi, have been involved in community service.

Both mother and daughter have tried to erect a green belt in their village as well as in surrounding areas.

Neha has served as a traffic marshal during the Covid pandemic and through instruction, enabled many athletes to win gold medal for their institutions. The family belongs to Ballia in Uttar Pradesh and seems to have long forgotten their ancestral pace as Neha says, “Now only Punjab is my home. I am too happy that I will now get a chance to serve my people in the true sense of the term.”

“We are a mix of voters here including Himachalis, Garhwalis, Rajasthanis and of course Punjabis and display a unique blend of unity in diversity. Never for once have I and my family felt out of place staying here. The people of my area not only supported me but reposed faith in my capabilities,” added the young sarpanch.

Similarly, from Ram Nagar panchayat in Bhamian Kalan block, Mamta Devi, another migrant and a two-time sarpanch is contesting consecutively for the third time. Mamta is from Bihar and has been staying in Punjab for the past 20 years with her husband, a factory worker. Her six opponents belong to the same category. Daljit Kaur is the lone candidate from Jat Sikh community from the village.

The stakes are high for Mamta Devi as she has won the confidence of the public through selfless service. “Punjab is the state which has taken us from rags to riches. Whatever we are today is because of this rich state. Now is the chance to repay Punjab,” said Mamta.

Poonam Kumari, another migrant woman is contesting from Tajpur Bet. Married to property dealer Santosh Kumar, Poonam along with her two children, has managed to balance home and political life. The family is more than satisfied living in Punjab for the past 20 years.