Her husband Javed Ahmed Khan had been representing the ward since 1990 but this year after the ward was reserved for women, she was asked by Trinamool Congress to take over the mantle from her husband.

“The moment I was told to contest the election, it was a mixed feeling for me. I was shocked and surprised. But (Trinamool chief) Mamata Banerjee told me that I have the ability to contest and win the elections. I also thought that this was a chance for me to work for the people,” said Rafat while taking a break from her campaign trail in Topsia.

At first Javed was not keen to see his wife contest the polls but he was coerced by his party to do so.

“I had to agree as it was the instruction from my party,” said Javed who has filed nomination papers from ward number 64.

Though a political science graduate, Rafat had never been interested in active politics.

“I remained as a housewife since I got married to Javed when I was in my early twenties. I have seen my husband fighting for this ward for the last 15 years. But I have always maintained a distance from politics and I was more concerned about bringing up my children properly,” said Rafat, who did her schooling from Pratt Memorial. But within days of beginning her campaign trail, she speaks like a veteran.