Political parties are leaving no stone unturned to woo women voters for the upcoming civic polls in light of the 50% reservation for the fairer sex. They are making best use of tradition and culture to ensure women turn out in large numbers and vote for them.
One of the most common events organised by parties away from the election commission glare is haldi kumkum, a traditional Maharashtrian ritual in which married women get together and apply turmeric and vermillion to each other’s forehead. It is a symbol of their married status and an occasion to wish for their husbands’ long lives. The women also get small gifts that can be used in everyday life.
With the election fever gripping the city, women are being invited to such functions and even picnics at nearby locations with alarming regularity. Some are fed up with the sudden ‘niceness’ shown by politicians only because elections are round the corner.
“How many times will we attend such programmes? Politicians come to us with folded hands and request us to attend the two-minute programme. This is because of the civic polls. We did not see such programmes earlier,” said a woman who attended a few haldi kumkum programmes.
She said a candidate from a political party chooses at least 10 venues in an area for such programmes. He expects maximum number of women to attend them.
Political analysts say this is a ploy by parties to garner votes of women. “Such programmes are organised by the candidate’s friends or relatives only because of the 50% reservation for women in civic elections this time. It is just a pretence, nothing else. Why did the same people not organise haldi kumkum programmes last year or before that? They won’t even organise them next year,” said political analyst Uday Nirgudkar.
He wondered how many parties have actually appointed women in key posts. “This is a gimmick to woo women and secure their votes,” he said. “Some parties even arrange visits to religious places and picnics. It is very sad. Despite being a democracy, candidates have to resort to such activities to get votes,” said Nirgudkar.
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