Moving over from their kitchens, many women are trying to make a mark in the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation election this time. Of the 508 candidates in fray for the corporation elections, over 230 are women candidates. Mind you, most of them are making their debut this poll season.
Freewheeling the locality in scorching heat, these women are seen giving tough fight to their male counter parts. Lack of experience was not a hurdle for the candidates who are relying on homework about the problems in their divisions.
“Its not going to be easy but I am prepared. I have enough free time in a day and want to do my bit for the society,” says P. Lakshmi, Lok Satta candidate from eighth division. The debutant says chain snatching, drinking water problem and poor road conditions are major problems in the division.
Though majority of them are contesting the elections representing different political parties, there are quite a few women, who are in the fray as independent candidates. “Women want equal rights in all fields, and politics is no bar. We see a lot of awareness among women on rights, and many of us want to prove the point,” says M. Jhansirani, Bahujan Samaj Party candidate from 50 division. Of the 14 candidates from the division, only two women candidates are in fray.
Likewise, M. Malleswari, Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from 33 division is the only women candidate among the 10 candidates in fray. “There are not many bathrooms and toilets and I am aware of the problems women face here. Dog menace is another major problem, besides the necessity for roads on the hillocks,” explains Malleswari, who is also a debutant.
In the last corporation elections, 20 women emerged winners and made their way into the council. It is going to be a close contest this time round as per analysts.
