Nuh’s First Woman Candidate, Rabia Kidwai, Faces A Litmus Test In Haryana Polls

In the Muslim-majority district of Nuh, recognized as one of India's most underdeveloped areas, Rabia Kidwai has shattered the glass ceiling by becoming the first woman to contest Assembly elections in a constituency where women rarely appear in public without a veil, much less lead political campaigns.

At 34 years old, the businesswoman from Gurugram understands the myriad challenges ahead-deep-seated gender bias, being perceived as an outsider, general voter ignorance, and formidable opponents with political experience. However, she is optimistic about representing change, believing this is a compelling reason for voters to support her in the upcoming Haryana Assembly polls.

Kidwai, the granddaughter of former state Governor Akhlaq Ur Rehman Kidwai, is running as a candidate for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Her opponents include seasoned Congress MLA Aftab Ahmed and Tahir Hussain of the Indian National Lok Dal, both of whom are well-regarded in the community.

Despite the challenges, Kidwai is determined to leverage her family's political legacy and her unique position as a woman in politics. As the election date approaches, she actively campaigns, seeking support for herself and her party. "Women here tell me they rarely visit political party offices to voice their concerns. While the situation has improved compared to decades ago, having a woman contest elections or manage a political office is still uncommon," she remarked in an interview with PTI.

During her campaign, she discovered that the bias against women in Nuh runs deeper than she initially thought. Established as a separate district in 2005 from parts of Gurgaon and Faridabad, Nuh comprises three assembly constituencies: Nuh, Ferozepur Jhirka, and Punhana. "Yes, I am an outsider and have never lived here. But I belong to the community and possess the vision to elevate Nuh to the level of Gurgaon, especially regarding education," she stated. "An outsider's perspective can be a valuable contribution, allowing me to represent the local population in a more inclusive and educated manner." She noted that her grandfather was recognized for his developmental contributions to the area, including establishing the Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Medical College.

Despite its proximity to Delhi-only 70 kilometers away-the region suffers from significant underdevelopment. "The contrast in development between Sohna and Gurgaon and Nuh is stark. The villages here lack basic amenities, which is shocking," she added.

She claims support from both men and women, driven by a collective desire for change, particularly in the aftermath of the 2023 Nuh riots, which left many feeling neglected by politicians. "I believe the communal violence was more of a publicity stunt than anything else. Those who instigated it were heartless, which is why voters are seeking alternatives," she explained.

Historically, no woman has contested elections from Nuh. The first woman candidate in the nearby Ferozepur Jhirka constituency was Shamshad in 1977, representing the Janata Party. Lalita Devi followed in 1987 and Mamata contested as an Independent in 1999. Nauksham Choudhari ran as a BJP nominee from Punhana in 2019 but lost; she was later elected from Kaman in Rajasthan in 2023. The INLD has nominated Dayawati Bhadana from Punhana for the upcoming polls.

Since Haryana was carved out of Punjab in 1966, the state has only sent 87 women to the assembly, and it has never had a female Chief Minister. Elections for the 90-member Haryana Assembly are scheduled for October 5, with results to be announced on October 8.