Sultana Ahmed Sagorika, a member of transgender community, has been elected the Councillor for the Reserved Women seat of Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) by defeating five of the contestants.
Sagorika contested for the post of Reserved Zone-7 comprised of wards-19, 20 and 21 in the elections of the Rajshahi City Corporation held on June 21.
According to the results of the elections, Sagorika with the Symbol 'Pine Apple' received 6,263 votes while Umme Salma, the incumbent female Councillor from this seat stood third with 'Mobile phone' symbol receiving 3,231 votes while Nazma Khatun with 'Helicopter' symbol stood second receiving 3,126 votes, Bine Majumer with "Jeep' symbol received 2,292 votes and Most Sumi with 'Spectacles' symbol received 705 votes.
After being elected as a Councillor, Sagorika said, 'I had pledged some manifesto to my voters and I would fulfil the pledges within next five years. People have honoured me and I would also honour them.'
Sagorika is hailed from Shilpipara area of Shah Makhdum thana of Rajshahi city. She is one of the four children of her parents. Her father died and now she lives with her mother and sister. She maintains the family.
Sagorika studied till class eight. After being promoted to class nine, she abandoned study because of criticisms from her fellow classmates. At a stage, he also left her house.
Sagorika now works for returning transgender people to the mainstream of society. She is the General Secretary of ' Diner Alo Hijara Sangha'. The organisation is working to merge transgender people into the mainstream of society since 2000.
During the election campaign, Sagorika had complained the contestant candidates were making mis-propaganda against her that if she is elected, the menace of transgender people will increase in the area. But, the voters did not pay heed to their propaganda and voted for her to be elected.
She further mentioned." I am a separate person and the voters have given me a chance to serve them. I would work for all.' She also pledged to work for the employment generation and welfare of the transgender people of the country.
