NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 03 (NVI): The first phase of Assembly polls in J&K will see male dominance as there are only nine female candidates in the fray for 24 assembly seats in both regions of the UT.
There are 234 total candidates in the fray for the phase-one of the J&K Assembly polls commencing from September 18 of which only nine are females. Among the nine, only one is the old face—Sakeena Itoo of National Conference.
NVI spoke to female candidates contesting polls for the first time. “I am not fighting elections for the first time. My party has always fought for the women rights and this time also our manifesto promises women welfare especially increase in the old age pension,” Sakeena said. On why there are less female candidates in the fray, she said male candidates may continue to show their dominance but “women who are committed to serve the society have to come forward sooner or later.” She said women are taking lead in every field and with the passage of time, more would join electoral fray in the next two phases.
Figures available with the NVI suggest that of the nine, five are from Kashmir region and four from Jammu.
From Kashmir, a few women candidates are contesting on the tickets given to them by the lesser known parties. Daisy Raina is a case in point. She is associated with Republican Party of India, a lesser known political party. Raina is in the fray from Rajpora seat of Pulwama district. “I have worked on ground over the years and this time, I decided to test my luck. Rest is upto the people,” she said.
Iltija Mufti, the daughter of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, is contesting from Bijbehara seat. “I am bold, brave and competent enough to rake up peoples’ issue in the Assembly. My mother was also a woman and perhaps the only Chief Minister in her cabinet as a female member,” Iltija said, adding that “I belie Kashmir as a women friendly society needs to open up more in the years to come.”
In Jammu Division, Pooja Thakur, who is contesting from Padder-Nagsani seat, said women need to come forward. “I am contesting on NC ticket and I am thankful to party for give me mandate. Women are shy and that they need to break the shackles. They need to come out of the cocoon that only male can contest elections,” she said.
Shagun Parihar from Kishtwar is also contesting on BJP ticket. “I want to work for the welfare and protection of women. My special focus will be on education of women folk in my constituency. No doubt I will work for the development my constituency, but providing some handholding to women is need of the hour,” she said.
In Doda, Meenakshi Kalra is fighting elections as an independent candidate. “Women folk in Doda need to come forward and for that they need a proper representation. Women continue to lag behind in various fields,” she said. “This election is a big opportunity for me to explore the hidden talent among women in Doda.” With the passage of time, she said more women will come to fore and join politics. “The only thing is that they need someone to lead them,” she said.(News Vibes of India)
