Ready to give 35 per cent seats for women: Dr G Parameshwar

Bengaluru: Members of the women’s wing of Congress got more than what they asked for with KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar assuring them that the party would consider a quota of 35 per cent of total seats in next year’s polls to the Legislative Assembly rather than limit the number to 35 seats as sought by them on Saturday. 

Addressing a meeting of the office bearers of women’s wing here, Dr Parameshwar, however, remarked: “Irony is that there are no women candidates; Only ten applications have been received by KPCC so far for 224 seats. We are in favour of reservation for women. Even if women demand 33 pre cent of seats we are ready to give them. We are ready to give winnable candidates. Let women demand more seats without any fear.”

Lambasting leaders of BJP, Dr Parameshwar said those heading the women’s wing of the party were touring the state and organising voters either in the name Saraswati pooja or Lakshmi pooja or invoking some or the other God's name. “Congress women workers need not ape this. Instead they can campaign hard in favour of the party programmes. Mane-Manege Congress is an ideal programme for women to start their campaign. They should also publicize good work of CM Siddaramaiah,” he added.

According to him, women workers need to campaign in the name of the late PM Indira Gandhi, in view of her birth anniversary on November 10. “This is the birth centenary year, so let us do it in her name and show that women are like Indira, who was known as the Iron lady of India,” he added. Earlier, actress-politician Jayamala appealed to Mr Siddaramaiah and Dr Parameshwar to set aside their differences and work united for the victory of Congress.