<p> A 26-year-old transgender, Radhika Bai, is all set to contest the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls as an Independent from the reserve Agra Cantt constituency.</p>.<p>Her candidature was approved on Monday.</p>.<p>Radhika, whose real name is Akash Soni, will be the first transgender to contest an Assembly election in the Agra district.</p>.<p>She has launched a door-to-door campaign with the support of her community members.</p>.<p>Radhika said she entered the poll fray after getting the blessings of her Prayagraj-based guru Bhavani Devi to serve the needy.</p>.<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/election/bjp-s-defeat-in-2024-is-possible-but-not-by-present-players-prashant-kishor-1074360.html" target="_blank">BJP’s defeat in 2024 is possible, but not by present players: Prashant Kishor</a></strong></p>.<p>"I have to prove that transgenders can be successful in politics and can successfully address peoples' issues. I will work for making education affordable by strengthening the network of government schools for the common man. I was born and brought up here, so I am requesting people to give me a chance because I want to do a lot for them," said Radhika.</p>.<p>She further said that "I believe politics will also provide me with an opportunity to work for the welfare of the kinnar community."</p>.<p>It may be recalled that in 2000, a transgender, Asha Devi, had hogged the headlines after being elected as the Mayor of Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation.</p>.<p>Her election had given a major jolt to political parties.</p>.<p>Before that, in 1998, transgender Shabnam Mausi was elected to the Madhya Pradesh state Assembly. She was the first transgender to be elected as a public representative.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos</strong></p>
<p> A 26-year-old transgender, Radhika Bai, is all set to contest the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls as an Independent from the reserve Agra Cantt constituency.</p>.<p>Her candidature was approved on Monday.</p>.<p>Radhika, whose real name is Akash Soni, will be the first transgender to contest an Assembly election in the Agra district.</p>.<p>She has launched a door-to-door campaign with the support of her community members.</p>.<p>Radhika said she entered the poll fray after getting the blessings of her Prayagraj-based guru Bhavani Devi to serve the needy.</p>.<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/election/bjp-s-defeat-in-2024-is-possible-but-not-by-present-players-prashant-kishor-1074360.html" target="_blank">BJP’s defeat in 2024 is possible, but not by present players: Prashant Kishor</a></strong></p>.<p>"I have to prove that transgenders can be successful in politics and can successfully address peoples' issues. I will work for making education affordable by strengthening the network of government schools for the common man. I was born and brought up here, so I am requesting people to give me a chance because I want to do a lot for them," said Radhika.</p>.<p>She further said that "I believe politics will also provide me with an opportunity to work for the welfare of the kinnar community."</p>.<p>It may be recalled that in 2000, a transgender, Asha Devi, had hogged the headlines after being elected as the Mayor of Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation.</p>.<p>Her election had given a major jolt to political parties.</p>.<p>Before that, in 1998, transgender Shabnam Mausi was elected to the Madhya Pradesh state Assembly. She was the first transgender to be elected as a public representative.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos</strong></p>