Political parties claiming to raise voice for women empowerment have probably failed to do the same for candidate nomination in the first phase of polls. However, majority among the 15 women contesting with 199 men candidates believe in working first as an identity and then a party member.
In order to prove the fact, they have begun wooing voters residing at the outskirts of their constituencies.The 13 constituencies marked for the respective polls include Gumla, Bishunpur, latehar, lohardaga, Panki, Daltonganj, Chatra, Manika, Bhawanathpur, Hussainabad, Bishrampur, Garhwa and Chattarpur. No candidate from the ‘fairer sex’ has stood from Hussainabad and latehar.
Maximum such candidates stood in three numbers each from Chattarpur and Manika while the remaining are representing with one woman. Among these ladies, Sudha Chaudhary from Janta Dal (United) is the only sitting female MlA of the present assembly in the fray for November 25. Three out of the cadre are contesting as independent candidates. None of them belong to Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) ruling at the Center. The national party had involved women empowerment an agenda in its election manifesto.
Asked the reason for this negligence from the parties, Chaudhary said, “India still exists in a male dominating society where parties do not have faith in women. They forget that it is a woman who manages home properly. The same dedication can show fruitful results if women are given chances to win and work for the people.”
The 43 year old Chaudhary claims for not providing full-fledged facilities at the grass root level to her denizens.“I have been able to connect handful number of villages with electricity supply and health centers. The need of irrigation facilities for pure water supply is yet to be done. I will definitely fulfill the need the demands if I win the seat like previous elections,” she said.
Unlike, Chaudhary, other women are cent per cent determined to lead the fray, be whatever. Daltonganj’s independent candidate Indu Devi trying to win a seat since last held polls in 2009 said the 33 per cent reservation for women in various fields can be implemented only if women politicians are given chance to contest elections.
Trinamool Congress candidate from Gumla, Sushila Minj felt contesting polls is itself a challenge wherein the candidate has to campaign in a biased mood.“Unless, women voters do not turn in large number at the polling booth, it is injustice to win elections for us. Being a woman it is a moral responsibility to uplift our own gender,” she said.
Similarly, Boby Bhagat nominated by Congress from Bishunpur is aspiring to provide facilities to victimized women of trafficking and brick kiln.“I am working for the people as social activist for last 12 years. It is high time to ensure their basic needs of employment, education and health,” mentioned Bhagat.