Theyoungest corporator of Surat's ward 16, Payal Patel (22) of the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) feels that it doesn't matter whether she is in the power or in theopposition, as she wants to serve the people.
Patel,an actor and a model by profession, was ecstatic in her thumping win in theSurat Municipal Corporation (SMC) elections on Tuesday. She garnered over23,000 votes with a margin of over 12,000 votes over her BJP rivals, KomalbenPatel and Mamtaben Patel in Ward 16, Poorna (West) region.
"Ihave no words to express myself. Of course, I was confident on winning, but notwith such a huge margin, especially when we were fighting against a sittingcorporator," Payal said.
Payal,a final year B.Com student from Amreli, is an actress who has acted in aGujarati film, 'Taari Maari Dosti'. She has featured in more than 50 songs,some of them Gujarati hit remixes like, 'Maiyer Ma Manadu Nathi Mantu'.
"Wewere in constant touch with the people of my ward since past six months and Ipractically know each and everybody in my ward. We have so many issues likenarrow roads, open gutters, no government school, among others. My firstpriority is to do something about the open gutters," added Payal.
Contestingcivic body elections in Gujarat for the first time, the AAP managed to win 27out of 120 seats in SMC. While the BJP won the remaining 93 seats, the Congressfailed to secure even a single seat.
"Idon't think that it makes a difference whether I am in the ruling party or inthe opposition. I firmly believe that if one wants to serve the public, evenwhile in the opposition, one can make a difference," added Payal.
Lookingat it's big entry into Gujarat with the SMC wards win, the AAP chief and DelhiChief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be holding a roadshow in Surat on Friday,to thank the voters.