Actor-turned-politician Jaimala Ramachandra’s elevation as a Minister and Leader of the House in the Legislative Council has rankled many of her party colleagues, especially some senior MLCs who are now set to petition the Congress central leadership against it.
The lone woman Minister in the H.D. Kumaraswamy Cabinet, Ms. Ramachandra — who holds a Ph.D. for her thesis on the ‘Rehabilitation of rural women in Karnataka’ and was the first woman president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce — in an interview said that citing her “inexperience” to oppose her ministerial posting was “an attempt to question the existence of women in politics”. Excerpts from the interview.
How do you react to reservations being expressed to your elevation as a Minister and Leader of the House in the Legislative Council?
This situation further strengthens my conviction that I need to prove that women can excel in the responsibilities assigned to them. Balancing coalition partners in the House is a tough job and I am ready for it. In the last four years, I have learnt a lot from my leaders, S.R. Patil and G. Parameshwara, on discharging the responsibilities of a leader of the Upper House. All of us will share responsibility and show the strength of the coalition model in the Upper House. I don’t claim that I am as experienced as some of the senior leaders. I consider myself a student and researcher, and will work towards smooth running of the House with their help.
Are you being targeted for being a woman?
I am confident they would not stoop to that level. But what pained me is their move to sign a petition and send it to the party high command without giving me an opportunity to prove myself. It is an attempt to question the very existence of women in politics and it hurts womanhood itself. I wish they would change their way of looking at women. It is difficult for women to get an opportunity to excel, especially in politics. If somebody gets that opportunity, supporting her is important.
Will you counter the petition by the MLCs?
No, I won’t. The party leaders, both at the State and the central level, have assigned me this responsibility. I will honour their decision, whatever it may be.
One of the objections being raised by MLCs is that you are too inexperienced to counter the formidable opposition by Bharatiya Janata Party. What is your reaction?
I have for my backing the achievements of the previous Congress government in the last five years and the pro-people manifestoes of the coalition partners — the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular). It is not difficult to face the BJP. Moreover, senior leaders from both the Congress and the JD(S) are there to support me in the House. All of us are aware of the reasons behind the coming together of the two coalition partners. I’m confident of facing any challenge in the House with the political experience gained in the last 25 years.
Will your master’s degree in political science help in discharging your responsibility as a Minister and Leader of the House?
There is a difference between theory and practice. It is not possible to handle things from one’s reading of Chanakya, Aristotle or Plato. I am only banking on my experience and understanding of politics.
It is being argued that you were chosen for belonging to the Billava community, largely concentrated in the coastal districts. What is your reaction?
I was chosen for my services to the party, contribution to the Kannada film industry, and of course, keeping in mind the caste configuration. Most in my community are voiceless, barring a minority 2%.
