- Only women voters are decisive in many seats
After the first phase of voting for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, the second phase of voting will now be held on September 25. This is the first assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in a decade, which is witnessing a higher participation of women candidates.
Out of the 873 nomination papers accepted for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, 40 are from women. Out of which 20 women have been given tickets by political parties, while 20 are in the fray as independent candidates. In the first phase held on September 18, 9 women candidates were in the fray. In the second phase, 6 women are in the fray and in the final phase, 25 women candidates will contest the elections. In 2014, 28 women contested for 87 assembly constituencies. Out of which 21 women were given tickets by political parties, while 7 contested as independents.
Key Promises in Manifestos of Political Parties on Women BJP has promised to give 18,000 rupees per year to the eldest woman of every household in Jammu and Kashmir through the 'Ma Samman Yojana' in the manifesto. 50 thousand Lakhpati Didi and Ujjwala beneficiaries are promised 2 free LPG cylinders every year. Congress- Under 'Mahila Samman Yojana', 3000 rupees will be deposited in women's accounts every month. Interest free loan up to 5 lakhs. In the National Conference-Proclamation, promises have been made for women that financial benefits will be given to women who are housewives. Schemes and free cylinders are promised for women entrepreneurs. The Peoples Democratic Party-Mufti's party has talked about building toilets, parks and skill centers.
Only women's issues in the eyes of women candidates {An emerging young face of the PDP is Iltija Mufti, who is contesting assembly elections from Bijbehra constituency in South Kashmir. He says I will not say that I will enter politics and then the situation will start changing. If there are more women in politics, women's problems will be solved faster.
- Former PPD MLA Asia Naksha says that she went to Sadribal area yesterday. There he saw a woman complaining that her 4 educated children were unemployed and assured that if PDP comes to power, we will solve these issues.
- Khursida Begum, an independent candidate from Langat, has vowed to focus on roads, water and good health for women. I am a hill woman living in the forest. I have seen poverty.
Common women's issues are different from political parties
- Saba Bhat, a housewife from Srinagar, said that I did not want to vote because I would get financial assistance but I wanted to vote so that I and my daughters feel safe. Crimes against women should be given priority.
- Arts graduate Benish Mumtaz says there are still many girls who want to study, but their parents are not ready.
- For law graduate Asima Zehra, this election politicians should not only promise jobs for women, but better laws to protect women, improve rural healthcare.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
