The Congress nominee replaces her father as an MLA amid his legal woes
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The victory of Sofia Firdous from Odisha’s Barabati-Cuttack assembly constituency marks a significant moment in her political journey, as she steps into the political arena following her father’s legal woes.
The Congress nominee defeated the BJP’s Purna Chandra Mahapatra by a narrow margin of 8,001 votes.
Sofia Firdous, a civil engineer and director of a real estate firm, has been an active figure in Cuttack politics since 2014. Her political career began by supporting her father, Mohammad Mokim, former MLA from the seat. Firdous campaigned vigorously for Mokim in the 2019 elections, gaining valuable political experience and establishing her presence in the local political landscape.
Firdous replaced her father as the Congress candidate for the Barabati-Cuttack seat after the Supreme Court refused to stay Mokim’s sentence in a loan fraud case, casting a shadow over his political future. Mokim was found guilty in a corruption case, prompting his camp to select Sofia as his political successor. The decision was made during a meeting attended by senior Congress workers and supporters from the Barabati, Choudwar, and Sadar assembly constituencies, including councillors from all wards. The attendees unanimously proposed Sofia’s candidature in place of Mokim.
The 32-year-old Firdous brings a unique blend of professional expertise and social commitment to her new role. As director of a real estate firm, she has demonstrated her leadership acumen in the business sector. Her social work is equally commendable; through the Mokim Foundation. She has organised sports events in the city, provided education to the underprivileged, empowered women, and worked towards making young women self-reliant.
“Sofia has always been committed to social work and improving the lives of those in our community. Her leadership in organising sports events and educational programs has been particularly impactful,” said one of his supporters from Cuttack.
In addition to her political and social endeavours, Sofia was last year elected President of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI), Bhubaneswar chapter, reflecting her influence and respect in the real estate industry.
Sofia Firdous’s election victory signifies a new chapter for the Barabati-Cuttack constituency. Her background in engineering, business, and social work uniquely positions her to address her constituents’ needs.
“Her fresh perspective and dynamic approach are exactly what our constituency needs,” a local voter said. “We believe she will bring positive changes and address the issues effectively.”
As Sofia takes on her new role, the people of Barabati-Cuttack look forward to seeing how her blend of professional acumen and dedication to social causes will translate into effective governance. Her journey from supporting her father’s campaigns to becoming an MLA highlights her growing influence and her community’s trust in her leadership.
