Transgender files nomination from Indore assembly

I am going to raise their voice," 29-year-old Bala Veshwar told reporters after filing her papers. Veshwar, popularly known as Bala Didi, is testing the electoral waters for the first time.

A member of the transgender community filed nomination papers as an independent candidate from Indore 2 Assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh Tuesday. "Social and economic condition of street vendors, labourers and domestic servants in this constituency is worrisome.

I am going to raise their voice," 29-year-old Bala Veshwar told reporters after filing her papers. Veshwar, popularly known as Bala Didi, is testing the electoral waters for the first time.

Asked how she will take on experienced candidates of political parties in the November 28 Assembly polls, she said, "I am fully confident of winning as this constituency has a huge population of labourers.

"I want every poor person to be able to eke out living with dignity," Bala said. BJP's Ramesh Mendola had won from Indore 2 in 2013 by defeating his nearest rival by 91,017 votes.

Meanwhile, MP Congress working president and MLA Jitu Patwari has filed nomination from his existing constituency Rau in Indore district. Eleven others also filed nominations Tuesday in the district which has nine assembly seats, an election official said.

(With inputs from agencies.)