It’s not simply their numerical significance that is making all political parties queue up; it’s also the observed increased proclivity of women to turn up for the vote: in Bihar, which went to polls most recently in October-November last year, more women (59.7 per cent) turned out to vote than men (54.7 per cent). And so it is that the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), its primary challenger BJP, and even the Congress have all activated their women’s wings. Each of them is busily taking down the other’s record on issues such as women’s safety and jostling to highlight what they have done for women’s welfare.
At 35.9 million, women voters comprise roughly half the state’s electorate— and have come a long way from the days of being terrorized to keep their men indoors on election day, when the Left was in power (bales of white cloth, signifying a widow’s attire, would be sent to them). They are now more vocal against injustices and demanding their rights. They can be seen craning their necks at Mamata Banerjee’s rallies and shouting out their grievances in the middle of the chief minister’s speeches. “Earlier, Mamata would have them arrested, as she did in 2013 when a farmer tried to question her about the rising fertilizer prices during a political rally. But now she’s giving them a hearing, as the times have changed,” says a senior police officer, requesting anonymity.
This story is from the February 15, 2021 edition of India Today.
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This story is from the February 15, 2021 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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