Indian-origin woman enters UK town mayor race
Indian-origin Rita Patel, who migrated to Britain in the 1970s and went on to hold several key positions in the voluntary sector, has entered the race to become Leicester's first elected mayor.
Patel, 51, expects to be chosen as the official Labour Party candidate, reports from Leicester said.Promising to focus on key issues in the town having a large number of Indian origin population, Patel said, "No one person has all the answers, and bringing people together is the only way we are going to get through the difficult times we face. I don't have the money to run a glitzy campaign."
"I am a humble community worker and what I see is that people just want someone who will be honest and have the courage to make hard decisions, with the humility to listen to ordinary people. That's what I would do," she added.
Patel is the former manager of the Belgrave Baheno, a voluntary organisation for local women in Leicester. She was also closely involved with the Peepul Centre, located in the Belgrave area of the town.
"I absolutely love the city of Leicester and the way we have always opened our arms and welcomed new people. I believe in the people of Leicester and feel that they deserve better, no matter where they live," Patel said.
