Gujarat Polls: Cong Fields IIM Grad Shweta Brahmbhatt From Maninagar

The Congress has fielded IIM-graduate face Shweta Brahmbhatt against the BJP's Suresh Patel from Maninagar seat in Gujarat. BJP has a stronghold in Maninagar, considering that it was Narendra Modi’s constituency before he became the prime minister.

Brahmbhatt's father is a senior Congress leader in the city. The 34-year-old is probably the only candidate in this election to take a course into becoming a politician from IIM Bangalore.

Brahmbhatt feels positive about winning the people’s trust through her "vision and determination".

However, it is going to be a tough task for the Congress to break into the Maninagar election as the constituency is the headquarter of BJP’s ideological wing Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh. The party has won in this constituency in every election since the 90s.

"I have seen politics since the early age. I consider politics as social work. My sole purpose to contest this election is to be the voice of youth and women," - Shweta Brahmbhatt

The Congress candidate completed her masters in international finance from the University of Westminster, London, in 2005. She went on to work as an investment banker in MNC firms in India. In 2012, she joined the 'India-Women in Leadership' programme in IIM Bangalore. The programme focuses on training women to become politicians in the country. She believes that it is necessary "to be a part of system to change the system".

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"I have seen politics since the early age. I consider politics as social work. My sole purpose to contest this election is to be the voice of youth and women," she said, One India reported.

“Despite being a highly educated woman, I faced many troubles in setting up my own business, mostly due to red-tapism. I want to make sure that others don't face it," Brahmbhatt added.

She said that the party chose her on the basis of her "vision and zeal to do something for the next generation".

"My focus is on education, employment and women empowerment. I am sure that people of this seat, especially the youth and women, will put their trust in me," she expressed.

Picture credit- BBC