By IANS
Patna : A cowherd has been elected a councillor defeating powerful candidates in the urban civic bodies elections in Bihar.
Anil Das, a poor man in his 50s, had been working as a cowherd and farm labourer for the past 25 years. He has now been elected as the councillor of ward number 20 of Fatuha Nagar Parishad in Patna district.
The urban civic bodies elections for six municipal corporations, 42 nagar parishads and 70 nagar panchayats had been held on May 26. About 2,864 councillors have been elected for various civic bodies spread over 37 districts. The voting for the Patna Municipal Corporation is underway Tuesday.
Das, who belongs to a backward agrarian caste, had never dreamt of becoming a ward councillor. His neighbours said his honesty and dedication towards society helped him win the support of people.
"He usually worked as a cowherd and also worked as a labourer like dozens of villagers but his honest image helped him," said a neighbour.
Das' employer Sudhir Singh, a rich upper caste farmer with political aspirations, also played an important role in his electoral success.
"Singh convinced people that although he was not contesting elections as the seat was reserved, he fully supported Das. It influenced people to vote for Das," another neighbour said.
Das aims to turn his ward into a model for others in Bihar. "We will work for the development of the ward," he said.