If long-time Mandar MLA and minister in Undivided Bihar Karam Chand Bhagat were alive, he would have been a proud father on Monday.
His daughter Jaya Bhagat, 36, has won the mukhiya post in Boreya panchayat, Kanke block in Ranchi.
Jaya, who has a PhD in biotechnology from Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh, defeated nearest rival Laxmi Devi with 27 votes, getting 803 votes to Devi's 776.
Though the margin is thin, Jaya is elated.
"It's a victory of villagers," Jaya, the mother of two sons, the elder one five years old and the younger barely six months old, said. "I always wanted to serve the people and so I feel blessed at this chance. I'd also like to thank my husband, Dr Vishwanath Oraon (a medical officer at a primary health centre in Patratu), for his unstinting support," she beamed.
Asked about her agenda, she said: "I want to work for the all-round development of Boreya with special focus to education and agriculture."
A daddy's girl, Jaya added her focus would be on education. "My father always insisted on better education. There are several educational institutions after his name in the state. Apart from this, I will take steps for proper irrigation. And, I want to fulfil whatever I have promised during my election campaign."
Jaya's 13-point poll manifesto had also promised toilets at every house, proper arrangements for drinking water and its storage, a boundary wall around Boreya Panchayat Bhavan and a community hall, proper facilities at the anganwadi centre, a transformer, demarcation of space for a daily market, village roads, social harmony and security of religious places.
Her elder brothers Ram Narayan and Ravindra Nath, both academics, are pleased.
Ram Narayan, who teaches mechanical engineering at University College of Engineering Technology, a unit of Vinoba Bhave University, said Jaya had followed in the footsteps of their father. "The country needs educated grassroots leaders. Jaya is highly qualified," he said.
Echoing him, Ravindra Nath, who teaches management at Birla Institute of Technology, said he had contested the Assembly election in 2014 from Mandar as the Congress candidate, but could not win.
"After our father, she is the first in the family to win an election. So, I am really happy with her success. I will extend all the help I can at my level to develop Boreya properly into a model panchayat," Ravindra Nath said.
Contacted, state election commissioner Shiv Basant said across the 24 districts, there were 4,402 panchayats and with as many mukhiyas. "Counting is on. The full results will be out tomorrow (Tuesday)," Basant said.
