Perhaps for the first time in the history of Mysore City Corporation, a physically challenged person has thrown his hat into the ring from a city ward to take on two-time independent corporator.
Azgar Pasha, an independent candidate contesting from ward 49, says he entered the fray because so far there has been no political representation for people with disability and getting jobs for them from elected representatives was like "getting blood from a stone". "If we have political power, we can address the problems better than anyone else," he says.
Azgar, a polio attack victim, says he has the support of his friends and well-wishers who have volunteered to help him during campaigning. A section of people from the ward have also promised to cast their votes in his favour, says the 35-year-old social worker.
"The ward people have chosen an independent candidate twice and this time I am seeking their support as an independent," says Azgar, who has been promising voters that he would step down if he fails to meet their expectations.
Jagadish, another physically challenged person, says they have been campaigning on a tricycle for Azgar from dawn to dusk. "I am from a different ward but I want Azgar to win. Like me, people from Hunsur, Krishna Raja Nagar and Periyapatna have voluntarily joined the campaign," he adds.
State Physically Challenged Association convenor Prabhuswamy, who is Azgar's strength, says: "It's a beginning and in the coming days we will decide to contest assembly and council polls." According to him, physically challenged people are a deprived class in society.
Azgar claims he was demoralized by district leaders when he announced his candidature, but regained courage by the support he received. He is campaigning for nearly 10 hours a day on his tricycle along with his friends. According to him, of the total 7,000 plus voters in the ward, about 200 are physically challenged.
Source : TOI , Mysore ( 5th march 2013 )
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