Mysuru:  Among the hundreds of candidates who are contesting the MCC elections on Aug. 31, a doctor is in the fray as an Independent candidate from Ward No. 8 that has been declared a General Ward. She is Dr. Sarah Haq, a dentist and a lecturer at JSS Dental College and Hospital.

Dr. Sarah is the grand-daughter of late Syed Abdur Rahman (ex-MLC and Wakf Board Chairman) and late Muktharunnisa Begum (ex-MLA) and niece of Dr. Shakeeb-ur-Rahman, former Principal of SJCE.

Ward No. 8 has been carved from areas including S.S. Nagar, Cauvery Nagar, HUDCO Extension and a part of B.M. Shri Nagar. The total population is about 15,000. Some of the persistent problems in the Ward are bad roads, poor lighting, sanitation, waste disposal and lack of hygiene and cleanliness.

Speaking to Star of Mysore on her campaign trail, Dr. Sarah said that she has been the resident of the area since the last 17 years and knows the Ward well. “It is important for the educated class and top professionals to enter politics so as to bring in a change in the society. I chose to take the political plunge as I want to be the voice of my people in the Council and address their problems that have not been addressed,” she said.

On her candidature as an Independent, Dr. Sarah said that she is passionate about bringing in a change. “I come from a family of people who have done yeomen social service. The sad reality is that every Independent candidate is seen as a threat to a political party. This attitude must change. A candidate with potential and ability to be the voice in Council can surely be a boon. Independent or aligned to the party does not matter. What matters is the capacity of a candidate to bring in a change,” she added.