Her campaign is about breaking some traditions

8220;This is my achievement. Earlier, women in this area never came out to attend rallies or public meetings, but now they actively participate. We want to break the bigotry of some narrow-minded mullahs, who sent out regressive fatwas in the name of Islam,8221; says Razia, as she walks through the village to her the rally venue.

Her cavalcade stops right at the entrance of each village, from where a local band and people escort her to the rally venue. Razia represents the lone Muslim-dominated segment in the state which has, since Independence always elected a Muslim candidate 8212; only once in 1954, Congressman Chand Ram had the elections here.

The MLA from here does not only represent Muslims of Malerkotla, but of the entire state of Punjab.

8220;Sadly no one has ever take up the Muslims cause here. I was the one who brought Shagun Scheme for marriage of Muslim girls and money for the much-awaited Urdu academy. We launched the drive to modernise the madarsas, brought a B Ed college to this area and also set the ball rolling for a medical and nursing college,8221; she says.

Her victory margin in the last Assembly elections was just 140 votes, which her supporters claim was due to a four-cornered contest between the Akalis, NCP, INC and an Independent. 8220;This time, I am sure of getting the highest winning margin. Muslims are staying away from the Akalis because of the BJP factor.8221;

Razia, who is also the president of Punjab Wakf Board, says, 8220;Before I was elected, the grants spent in Malerkotla were only Rs 5 crore and in the last five years, we have spent Rs 117 crore.8221;

The most important issue is the overall upliftment of socio-economic status of people, she signs off.