<p>From sleeping on streets hungry and attempting suicide, Mukhtar Ahmed Masoodi has come a long way to become the chairman of Meeranpur Katra Nagar Panchyat where he was earlier engaged as street light operator.</p>.<p>He was elected to the post as a <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tag/congress" target="_blank">Congress</a> candidate in the Uttar Pradesh urban local body polls, the results of which were declared on May 13.</p>.<p>Talking to <em>PTI</em>, Masoodi, a resident of Pilibhit district, said that around 10 years ago, his wife left him and went back to her maternal home in Budaun.</p>.<p>"I was heartbroken and I decided to come to Meeranpur Katra. I had no acquaintance here. I spent many nights on the pavement and ate whatever I could gather. Fed up, I decided to end my life," he said.</p>.<p>According to Masoodi, he had laid on the railway tracks in Meeranpur Katra a few years ago to end his life. But as a train was approaching, some youths pulled him away from the tracks, foiling his suicide attempt.</p>.<p>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/bjp-sweeps-up-urban-local-body-polls-wins-all-17-municipal-corporations-1218423.html" target="_blank">BJP sweeps UP urban local body polls, wins all 17 municipal corporations</a></p>.<p>They took him to the residence of Shamiushshan Khan, then chairman of Meeranpur Katra Nagar Panchayat, who upon hearing Masoodi's life story took a liking for him and offered him the job of switching on the streetlights and turning them off.</p>.<p>In 2023, the Meeranpur Katra seat was reserved for backward classes making Khan ineligible to contest from the seat.</p>.<p>"One day, Masoodi told me that if I want, he can contest the election for the post of chairman," Khan said.</p>.<p>When the results were out, Masoodi had won the election by 742 votes.</p>.<p>Khan said Masoodi's victory is the result of his dedication and hard work and hoped that he would serve the public in a better and more sensetive way as he has experienced poverty personally.</p>.<p>Avneesh Gangwar, the executive officer of Meeranpur Katra Nagar Panchayat said, "This is the beauty of democracy. Masoodi who was once an employee is now the administrator."</p>
<p>From sleeping on streets hungry and attempting suicide, Mukhtar Ahmed Masoodi has come a long way to become the chairman of Meeranpur Katra Nagar Panchyat where he was earlier engaged as street light operator.</p>.<p>He was elected to the post as a <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tag/congress" target="_blank">Congress</a> candidate in the Uttar Pradesh urban local body polls, the results of which were declared on May 13.</p>.<p>Talking to <em>PTI</em>, Masoodi, a resident of Pilibhit district, said that around 10 years ago, his wife left him and went back to her maternal home in Budaun.</p>.<p>"I was heartbroken and I decided to come to Meeranpur Katra. I had no acquaintance here. I spent many nights on the pavement and ate whatever I could gather. Fed up, I decided to end my life," he said.</p>.<p>According to Masoodi, he had laid on the railway tracks in Meeranpur Katra a few years ago to end his life. But as a train was approaching, some youths pulled him away from the tracks, foiling his suicide attempt.</p>.<p>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/bjp-sweeps-up-urban-local-body-polls-wins-all-17-municipal-corporations-1218423.html" target="_blank">BJP sweeps UP urban local body polls, wins all 17 municipal corporations</a></p>.<p>They took him to the residence of Shamiushshan Khan, then chairman of Meeranpur Katra Nagar Panchayat, who upon hearing Masoodi's life story took a liking for him and offered him the job of switching on the streetlights and turning them off.</p>.<p>In 2023, the Meeranpur Katra seat was reserved for backward classes making Khan ineligible to contest from the seat.</p>.<p>"One day, Masoodi told me that if I want, he can contest the election for the post of chairman," Khan said.</p>.<p>When the results were out, Masoodi had won the election by 742 votes.</p>.<p>Khan said Masoodi's victory is the result of his dedication and hard work and hoped that he would serve the public in a better and more sensetive way as he has experienced poverty personally.</p>.<p>Avneesh Gangwar, the executive officer of Meeranpur Katra Nagar Panchayat said, "This is the beauty of democracy. Masoodi who was once an employee is now the administrator."</p>