Bharatiya Janata Party to woo women voters
Indian Express: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had been looking for newer ways to resurrect its depleting fortunes, is now trying its best to woo women voters. After studying the voting patern of different sections of the society during the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP apparently has come to the conclusion that women voters will swing the tide in its favour in the Assembly elections.
The saffron party leaders said compared to 2004 Assembly elections, there was a seven per cent dip in turnout of women voters in Lok Sabha elections. And there is only two per cent difference in votes secured by the Congress-NCP and BJP-Shiv Sena alliance. “In Lok Sabha polls, the Congress-NCP alliance secured two per cent votes more than the saffron parties. With just two per cent difference, they secured 25 seats while we won 20,” said Neeta Kelkar, general secretary of party’s state women’s wing. “If we succeed in bridging this two per cent gap, we have a chance to go ahead,” Kelkar said.
Of the seven per cent women voters who did not cast their votes, Kelkar said, the party needs only four per cent to exercise their franchise. “This will help us bridge the gap and give an edge over them,” says Kelkar.
The party is holding training sessions for its ranks and file, including women office-bearers. One such training session was held in Chinchwad on Thursday. The training session laid stress on impressing upon women voters the need to exercise their fundamental right to vote. “Street plays will be the main attraction of our campaigning. The street plays will highlight rising prices which is throwing the home budget haywire,” said Uma Khapre, party’s district secretary. Instead of having two representatives at the polling booth, the party has decided to appoint 10 women party members.
Handling media is another theme of the training session. “Many a times, women aspirants mess up with words and sentences while speaking to the media. We are training our women members to say the right thing at the right time,” said Sanjeevani Pandey, BJP’s local spokesperson. The party is also trying to rope in self-help groups and voluntary organisations. BJP leaders Bhagwan Mansukh, Madhavi Naik, Mukta Tilak, Madhuri Misal, Kanta Londhe, Solachana Bade and Sunita Chitale were present at the training session.
Factfile
Compared to 2004 Assembly elections, LS polls saw a 7% dip in turnout of women voters
Difference of 2% in votes secured by Congress-NCP and BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in LS polls
BJP’s target: to bridge the 2% gap by targeting women voters
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