“Women are the embodiment of Shakti (Power). I will put my life at stake to protect Shakti” – PM Narendra Modi
The participation of women in Indian politics was less compared to men for several decades. A significant proportion of women active in Indian politics belonged to political families. Most of them were continuing the legacies of their parents or husbands. A positive change was palpable in the last decade which gained momentum slowly. PM Modi was very keen on increasing the participation of women in politics. He inducted 11 women into the cabinet, the highest ever in 17 years. Women were given important portfolios like defence, finance, external affairs, human resources department, etc. India got the first tribal woman president in 2022.
In 2023, the Modi government successfully enacted the long pending and much-demanded women’s reservation bill which ensures 33 per cent seats for women legislators. It will be implemented after the delimitation of seats. The BJP also ensured that women from all walks of life should be represented. President Droupadi Murmu comes from a very humble background and has fought many battles to reach the esteemed position. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is a postgraduate in Economics and a scholar from JNU, Delhi. Ex-governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan is a renowned gynecologist. These women have inspired many women across India till now. But, a look at the list of women candidates finalised by BJP shows that PM Modi wants to take women’s representation in Indian politics to even greater heights.
BJP – Party of Common Woman
Rekha Patra from Sandeshkhali
No person with a heart can even imagine the horrific ordeals that the women of Sandeshkhali have gone through over several years under the rule of a woman chief minister. Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters have deprived the women of their lands, modesty and dignity. West Bengal is a state which is caught in the shackles of anarchy of the ruling party. Violence has become the hallmark of the state in the past few decades with hundreds getting killed over years. Several women had come out on the streets and protested against the brutalities of TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan. Rekha Patra, with a girl child in her arms, protested with grit and also boldly recorded the statement in front of the district magistrate.
Patra is the candidate for upcoming elections from the Basirhat constituency, under which falls the Sandeshkhali area. The way she spoke with PM Modi showed that she is a woman of mettle, vision and courage. She said that she was one of the unfortunate women who faced the atrocities. The culprits have been arrested and should be punished. She said that there was no work at her place, her husband was working in Chennai and she would work for the progress of all with the intent to create jobs locally. She also requested to conduct a free and fair election in West Bengal.
PM Modi hailed her as “Shakti Swaroopa”. The PM asked her to educate people about the lack of implementation of Central government schemes in West Bengal. He also assured her that the BJP will stand with her at every step.
Rekha Patra, a rural woman in her thirties, once a victim, is now standing bravely as a contestant to take on the ruthless, corrupt and rich opponents in the political arena. She is the epitome of real women’s empowerment. The BJP has always stood with women and continues to do so.
Nari Shakti from diverse fields
The BJP has fielded women from various sectors across the country. The list below shows some women who are entering the arena of political battle for the first time representing the BJP-
- 38-year-old teacher and polyglot, ML Ashwini, who is proficient in multiple languages is the BJP candidate in Kasargod, the land of seven languages in Kerala. She is a dedicated party activist of Mahila Morcha at the national level.
- 37-year-old actress, national award winner and Padma Shri awardee Kangana Ranaut is a Lok Sabha candidate from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Coming from an ordinary family not affiliated with movies, the talented actress worked hard and attained a successful career.
- Madhavilatha will lock horns with Asaduddin Owaisi, the tall figure of AIMIM, in his own bastion Hyderabad. The newcomer Madhavilatha is a graduate, social activist, entrepreneur and owner of Virinchi Hospital. Over the years she has been doing social service in old city Hyderabad. She also is a fierce supporter of Hinduism and women’s empowerment.
- 40-year-old Bansuri Swaraj is a distinguished lawyer who is making her poll debut from the New Delhi constituency. She is the daughter of the legendary late Sushma Swaraj.
- Rajmata Amrita Roy Vs expelled rabble loudmouth, Mahua Moitra in Krishnanagar. BJP candidate Amrita Roy belongs to the royal family of Krishna Nagar.
The veterans have also been given due respect and importance.
Smriti Irani, who created history by defeating the heir of the Congress party Rahul Gandhi in their fort Amethi, is again contesting from Amethi. Dr Tamilasai Soundrarajan, ex-governor, is contesting from Chennai South. Daggubati Purandeshwari is the state president of Andhra Pradesh, former Union minister and daughter of late N.T. Rama Rao, founder of Telugu Desam Party. She is contesting from Rajahmundry. D.K. Aruna is contesting from Mehaboob Nagar in Telangana.
Political empowerment of women
Women have not had adequate representation in legislative bodies for decades. It was impossible for an ordinary woman from a normal background to even think about being an MP. Today, all women of India will look up to Rekha Patra and other female candidates of the BJP. They will inspire the girl children to pursue greater heights in politics also. Political empowerment will enable women to uplift several women.
“If non-violence is the law of our being, the future is with women” – Mahatma Gandhi.
PM Modi is implementing the thought of father of the nation and securing the future with women.
Dr Vinusha Reddy is the author of the book ‘India Before & After 2014’, Delegate of BRICS Political Parties Plus Dialogue Summit, Official Spokesperson, in charge of policy & Research, Mahila Morcha BJP Andhra Pradesh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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