Women power comes to fore in Jalandhar MC House

Women councillors have taken a lead in the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation House, with 44 out of 85 seats being won by women in the elections.

While this marks a stronger representation for women, concerns loom over whether all councillors will act independently or remain proxies for their husbands.

Experienced leaders like Uma Beri from Ward no 24, Prabhjot Kaur from Ward no 27 and Jasleen Sethi from Ward no 30, all from the Congress, have earned a reputation for raising ward issues in the past. Similarly, Aruna Arora from AAP (Ward 33), Harsharan Kaur Happy (Ward 35) and Sarabjit Kaur (Ward 37), both of the Congress, are known for their vocal participation.

Meanwhile, fresh faces like Jyoti and Shobha from the BJP, elected from Ward no 53 and 54, and young leaders such as Neha Mintu of the Congress (Ward 49) and Harsimran Kaur of AAP (Ward 69), bring a promising mix of energy and enthusiasm to the House.

Neha Mintu grabbed the attention by defeating a senior AAP leader, demonstrating the potential of young women in local politics.

Despite these promising candidates, residents express concerns over many women councillors reportedly acting as stand-ins for their husbands.

A local shopkeeper shared his scepticism, “It’s an open secret that some women are just figureheads, with the real decisions being made by their husbands. This isn’t what voters want. They must step up and lead independently.”

Residents have high hopes for these women to prioritise local issues over personal agendas. Civic problems, such as poor roads, sanitation and safe spaces for women, remain key demands. “We don’t just need representation, we need accountability,” said Manjit Singh, another resident.

Young voters were particularly excited about the presence of more educated and energetic women candidates. Swati, a first-time voter, said, “Jalandhar needs leaders who can inspire trust and action. If these women councillors genuinely take charge, they have the power to make a real difference.”

The public’s message is clear: Women councillors must not only raise their voices, but also break free from any outside influence and act in the best interest of their wards. "As the new Municipal Corporation House gets to work soon, we have our eyes on all these councillors to prove they are more than just numbers and we hope that they will make the city a better place to live", said Kanwalpreet, another voter.