Punjab poll: Women representation dismal in Amritsar district

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Amritsar, February 17

Women representation by various political parties in these elections remain dismal despite the noise about 33 per cent reservation.

The number of women candidates contesting in Assembly poll this time increased as compared to 2017, but numbers don’t count for anything as most of the faces in the poll fray remain unknown to voters.

Out of a total 117 candidates in the fray from 11 Assembly constituencies of Amritsar, including 43 Independents, only nine are women.

The general reluctance among political parties to field women candidates is seen by the fact that in the last three elections, the count of women candidates in the district has remained between three and four.

As the countdown to Assembly poll begins, the two most-talked about women candidates are both first timers, being fielded from the hot seats.

AAP’s Jeevanjyot Kaur, is taking on ‘political giants’ — Navjot Singh Sidhu of the Congress and Bikram Singh Majithia of SAD from Amritsar East, while Ganieve Kaur Majithia is SAD candidate from Majitha, her husband’s home turf.

Similarly, BSP has fielded Dalbir Kaur from Amritsar Central to take on sitting MLA and Congress stalwart OP Soni, while BJP has fielded lone woman candidate Balwindar Kaur from Attari. The Samajik Sangharsh Party has fielded Harjindar Kaur from Rajasansi, but she is not a known face to make a difference. Paramjit Kaur will be contesting as an Independent from Jandiala. Others in the fray are Harmandeep Kaur (Independent) from Ajnala, Gurnam Kaur and Jasbir Kaur Beero, both Independents, from Baba Bakala.

Speakingout

Women in the district are waiting for the day when there will be 50% representation of women in politics. Here’s what they have to say…