Pollpourri: Homemakers no proxies
Several of them get renominated on the basis of their work
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Many timid homemakers, who were elected from reserved seats in the local body elections previously, have proved their mettle in the stormy political field and secured seats this time displacing other aspirants from their own parties.
They stand apart from those who are fielded as proxies of their husbands and fathers. LDF’s Shajida Nazar, an outstanding councillor, had won the reserved seat of Vallakadavu defeating the UDF’ Sumeena teacher by 535 votes in 2005.
In the next elections, she took on IUML heavyweight M.K.M. Rahim and defeated him by 451 votes. Ms Nazar is a hot favourite this time also and is not worried about the IUML candidate.
Similarly, M.B. Resmi, who had won Kamaleswaram seat on the JSS ticket last time, learned pragmatic politics after her victory. She joined the Congress leaving her troubled party.
Ambalathara councillor Mujeeb Rahman, top leader of Janata Dal (U), had set his eyes on Kamaleswaram seat after his ward was reserved for men. Resmi, an MBA graduate, who was popular in the ward, defeated him with ease.
Leelamma Issac of Congress had last time defeated Sheela Ramani by 150 votes in the reserved ward of Nanthancode. Ms Issac was suspended after she took part in a violent protest inside the council.
“This time I am pitted against strong man Palayam Rajan who is the sitting welfare committee chairman of the corporation. I know every single member of this ward and Rajan stands no chance,” Ms Issac said.
LDF’s Vimalakumari and Sujatha and UDF’s Vanaja Rajendra Babu, who had previously won from the reserved wards, also will take on men.
As per former deputy mayor Happy Kumar, the influence of relatives in a constituency and caste factors play a vital role in the local body elections.
“Women who have done some political work previously are better off as councillors but they don’t win often in reserved wards. A shy homemaker will win neutral votes because politically active women often have many rivals. Votes in the reserved seat should be cast based on the politics and the candidates’ ability to speak and act without shame,” Mr Kumar said.