The drive launched by the Election Commission to increase the number of voters seems to have had an impact with the number of women voters going up this time.
According to information given by the election section of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here, 1.97 lakh new voters have been added to the list compared to last Lok Sabha polls. Interestingly, the number of women voters is 1.10 lakh while that of male is 86,000.
The number appears to prove that women voters have shown more interest in getting themselves an EPIC and exercising their franchise.
While on the one hand, women voters have decided to play their role in electing candidates of their choice, woman candidates are struggling to find their share in electoral politics while urging political parties to offer them ticket.
In the twin districts of Vijayapura and Bagalkot, two women aspirants are making efforts to get party ticket to contest in the Lok Sabha elections.
Interestingly, both are from the Congress, while, as of now, no strong woman leader has emerged either in the BJP or in the Janata Dal(S).
In Vijayapura, one of the strong candidates seeking ticket is Kanta Naik, a software engineering graduate from the Banjari community.
As the Lok Sabha seat of Vijayapura is reserved for Scheduled Castes category, Ms. Naik, who comes under this category, is seeking ticket from the Congress.
Having been associated with the party for about a decade, she is one of the strong contenders for ticket, along with other male aspirants.
She said that she is hopeful of getting ticket to contest the election.
Similar are the expectations of Veena Kashappanavar, Congress leader from Bagalkot district, who is also a zilla panchayat member.
Ms. Kashappanavar, wife of the former MLA Vijayananda Kashappanavar, is a known political personality in Bagalkot district.
She is trying to secure ticket from the Congress to contest in the Lok Sabha polls.
Enjoying full support of her politically influential husband, Ms. Kashappanavar is one of the strong aspirants for party ticket.
Though it is not certain yet as to who will be able to get ticket from the party, woman aspirants from both districts not only making every effort but also are hopeful of getting ticket.
The picture, meanwhile, is expected to get clear in a couple of days.
