The Hindu 05.10.2010
Women councillors list achievements
Aabha Raveendran
The 55-member Corporation Council had 20 women members.
KOZHIKODE: The 33 per cent reservation for women had posed a challenge to many a political party in the last local body elections due to dearth of women candidates with proven track record. Many parties resorted to the age-old tactic of handing over the baton to the relatives of political leaders. There were instances when many members complained that they did not get a free reign on their work and being women, they were taken for granted.
However, the women councillors of Kozhikode City Corporation seem to have no such complaints. Stepping down after their five-year tenure, most of them appear satisfied with their achievements. Of the 20 women councillors in the Council of 55 members, only one or two were seen participating in any sort of productive discussion at the Council meetings. But they claim to have created results at the grassroots level.
Hansa Jayant of JD(S), who represented the Valiyangadi ward in the last council, is fully satisfied with her work over the last five years.
Achievements
“My ward consists of a large chunk of the city and is a highly commercialised area. I was able to do my best for the ward by repairing and constructing roads, installing around 200 streetlights and drinking water facilities. I was instrumental in giving a facelift to Mananchira Square, Town Hall, Tagore Hall, art gallery and so on. The setting up of WiFi bus stops was indeed an achievement,” she told The Hindu. Ms. Jayanth is contesting the polls from Moonnalingal ward this time, where the conditions are quite different. “Moonnalingal is a backward area and I have to put together all my resources for its uplift.”
A.M. Mariyam of INL, who represented the Mukhadar ward and is now re-contesting the same ward, is happy that she could complete work on a number of drainages, footpaths and road repairs.
A. Pushpalatha, who represented East Hill ward as a DIC(K) candidate in the last council, listed almost a dozen projects that she had taken up in her ward last time. Though denied a Congress ticket, she is contesting the polls independently in the same ward, eager to continue her service.
According to these councillors, being a woman has not hampered their work in any way.
They said their colleagues and other party workers were very helpful and cooperative. Their success story will surely be an inspiration for more women to come forward in politics and work independently.
