While her husband has been an MLA from Bhojipura since 2002 and also switched parties on more than one occasion, her father-in-law has also served as an MLA in the past. Ayesha, in sharp contrast, joined the party only last year. She did however contest a zila panchayat election as an independent candidate in 2010 and registered a thumping win over a strong BJP rival.
"Owing to my popularity among the youth and the women voters, Mulayam Singh Yadav perhaps thought I was a better contestant and would be able to send a strong message to society," she said.
The husband said he was "happy" that his wife was fighting such an important election and that her chances of winning were very strong. "She is a strong contender and gaining a lot of popularity. I am sure she will win," he said.
Ayesha's parents belong to Bareilly and shifted to the Saudi city of Jeddah before she was born. The commerce graduate from Jeddah's King Abdulaziz University moved to her family's hometown after her marriage in 2003.
She said her candidature signalled a change in the traditional caste-based politics of the region. "The public is more aware now and prefers educated and young candidates,"she said.
Ayesha is very popular among young women and doesn't shy away from admitting that she has become a "bit of a celebrity".
On being asked if her husband or father-in-law would have a say in her political decisions if she were to become an MP, Ayesha said she had a mind of her own. "I have reached here on my own ability. I will only look to my family and other senior party leaders for guidance because they are very experienced."
Ayesha has involved more than 300 women volunteers in her campaign and has put women empowerment on the top of her list of agendas. She is also juggling between running her campaign and looking after her two sons, aged seven and ten. Her Jeddah relatives have come down to help her as her campaign gains momentum.
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