  Utilizing an ansatz developed by Maurya and co-workers we present a class of
exact solutions of the Einstein-Maxwell field equations describing a
spherically symmetric compact object. A detailed physical analysis of these
solutions in terms of stability, compactness and regularity indicate that these
solutions may be used to model strange star candidates. In particular, we model
the strange star candidate Her X-1 and show that our solution conforms to
observational data to an excellent degree of accuracy. An interesting and novel
phenomenon which arises in this model is the fact that the relative difference
between the electromagnetic force and the force due to pressure anisotropy
changes sign within the stellar interior. This may be a an additional mechanism
required for stability against cracking of the stellar object.
