By giving eight tickets to women candidates in the first list, the Congress has once again proved that it gives great weightage to ‘woman power’. The first list of 65 candidates was released late on Thursday night.
Women supporters of India's ruling Congress Party exchange Aabir (colour dust) as they celebrate The Women's Reservation Bill in Kolkata.
According to list, Shailarani Rawat (Kedarnath), Sarojini Kainthura (Yamkeshwar), Jyoti Rautela (Lansdowne), Rewati Joshi (Didihat), Sarita Arya (Nainital), Amrita Rawat (Ramnagar), Indira Hridyesh (Haldwani) and Brijrani (Jwalapur) were given tickets.
President, Women Congress Committee, Sarojini Kainthura told Hindustan Times, “The Congress has always valued matra shakti (mother power). Therefore, it was expected that the high command would never disappoint us. We value their trust and will try our best to win from our respective seats.” She also bagged a ticket from Yamkeshwar seat.
As soon as the list was released, all women candidates were in action on Friday. Most of them travelled to their respective constituencies while some were busy preparing canvassing plans.
Kainthura, who was in Delhi, was leaving for her constituency. She said that she would reach her constituency late in the evening and her supporters had already started campaigning. Mahanagar general secretary Payal Behl said, “All women candidates have started preparing for the election. Along with the support of other party members, they are chalking out tour plans.” While it was ‘jingle bells’ for women candidates of the Congress, those in the BJP were a bit depressed. Only three tickets were given to women candidates in the first list of 48 candidates. However, BJP women activists were quiet despite being dejected. President women wing, BJP Mamta Pallediya said, “Our party has to release its final list of 22 candidates.
The party high command knows better about the allotment of ticket. We have no complaints.”