A Bangladesh-born UK Councillor, whose party opposes Brexit, has started her campaign to become an MP to the UK parliament.
Dr Bablin Molik, who moved to the UK at her early age, was picked by the Welsh Liberal Democrats to contest the general election at the Cardiff Central constituency, the party announced on Wednesday (Sept 12).
Bablin, who is the incumbent Councillor for Cyncoed and Lakeside, has a track record of holding the party to account, fighting for better public transport and improving air quality in the society, the party said in a statement on its website.
With a background in medical research, Bablin works for a charity helping to improve access to healthcare and tackle the issue of sight loss.
Born in Kacuha village of Moulivibazar's Sadar Upazila and raised in UK's Roath, Bablin attended schools in Penylan and Cyncoed before studying at Cardiff University. She now lives in Pentwyn with her husband and two daughters.
"Now, more than ever our country (UK) is crying out for effective MPs to lead us out of the national disaster that is Brexit. I can be that MP for Cardiff Central," Bablin said.
Bablin sought cooperation from all to win the election. The Cardiff Central "is a strong base of Liberal Democrat... Our victory is certain if we can use our past experiences to secure votes from Asian Muslims and Bengali community," she said
She blamed Boris Johnson for preparing to destroy the UK constitution as the UK Prime Minster shut down the country's Parliament and threatened to disobey the rule of law to deliver Brexit.
Bablin also criticised the UK Opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn, as he still can’t decide whether he supports remain or would deliver Brexit himself.
"The Welsh Liberal Democrats know there is no form of Brexit that is right for our city. I will fight to protect our place in the EU by stopping Brexit," she said.
Leaders of Welsh Liberal Democrat expressed delight over picking Bablin as the Cardiff Central candidate.
"I’m delighted that Bablin has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Cardiff Central," party leader Jane Dodds MP said.
"Cardiff Central has a proud record of committed Liberal Democrat representatives like Jenny Randerson and Jenny Willott, and I’m confident that Bablin can follow in their footsteps.
Calling Bablin "a passionate and a strong campaigner for fairness and building an inclusive society," Jane hoped that the mother of two "will make a huge positive difference" in the UK Parliament.
Bablin played a crucial role to set up a school "Shikor (Roots) " for the Bangladeshi community in Cardiff. She is the first Bengali and Muslim woman to become a councillor there.
She will contest the constituency that encompasses Adamsdown, Pentwyn, Penylan, Cyncoed, Roath and Cathays of Cardiff, capital of Wales, one of the UK's three countries.