‘My son won’t return but don’t want others to suffer similar fate’

Now,again her life has taken a new turn – after a landslide victory,she has become a member of the state legislative Assembly. Firoza has trounced her rival Left Front candidate by a margin of 39,551 votes.

“My son will not come back. But I want to make sure no other family shares my fate. My mission is to provide justice to the victims of Nandigram violence. Hundreds have suffered injuries. The women,who were physically assaulted and raped,are awaiting justice. Despite the High Court’s decision,the state government has not yet paid one penny as compensation,” said Firoza.

According to Firoza,she is prepared to face the state Assembly. “I know it will be hard since the state government will not listen to me. But I can protest. They cannot rob me of my right to protest,” she said.

The victory seems to have turned Firoza into a seasoned politician overnight. She has already prepared a wish list. “Apart from providing justice to the victims,I also plan to upgrade roads and basic infrastructure in my area. Providing drinking water is also in my agenda,” Firoza said.

At present,Trinamool MLA Suvendu Adhikary from neighbouring Contai is teaching Firoza how to conduct business in the House. “She is a fast learner,” said Adhikary.

The March 14 incident still fresh in her mind,Firoza said: “Our family has six bighas of land and we did not want to give it up. That day,my son just went to protest like many others in my village. In the evening,I heard the news that he has been shot and has died.”

An ardent supporter of the Trinamool Congress,this is not Firoza’s first tryst with politics. She had contested the panchayat polls in 1998 and lost.

She was chosen as the Trinamool Congress candidate for Nandigram by-elections after Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee decided to give the ticket to a family member of the victims of the police firing. “I was very surprised and initially reluctant when Mamata chose me as the candidate. But then so many people supported me. I was sure to win,” said Firoza.

Life has changed since the day Firoza had become a candidate. For the last few weeks,she had woken up in the wee hours and after offering prayers,meet villagers all around Nandigram. “Now people are thronging our party office in Nandigram town and my house,” she said.

Her family,who have extended full support to her,are elated at her victory. Foroza’s husband Sheikh Munirul Islam,a retired KOPT employee,said: “Our family is conservative. But she fought this election for a noble cause. We were sure that she will get the blessings of the people,” said Munirul. Firoza’s other son Sheikh Zahirul Islam is a pharmacist. Zahirul,who accompanied his mother in her campaigns,now helps her to discharge her duties.

Pitted against Left Front candidate Parmananda Bharati and PDCI candidate Badshah Alam,for Feroza Bibi,it is emotions and sentiments which saw her through.