The Hindu (Mangalore)

BJP’s commitment to women’s reservatio­n is questionab­le, says Gatty

Party has elded only two women candidates compared to ve by the Congress in 28 Lok Sabha constituen­cies in the State, says the Congress leader

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When the Bharatiya Janata Party has failed to give ticket to a adequate number of women for the Lok Sabha polls, how can people believe in its assurance that it will systematic­ally implement the Women’s Reservatio­n Act that entails 33% reservatio­n for women in the Parliament and the State Assemblies, said chairman of Karnataka Cashew Developmen­t Corporatio­n and former general secretary of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee Mamata Gatty in Mangaluru on Wednesday.

Talking to reporters at the district Congress o‹ce, Ms. Gatty said the BJP has Œelded only two women candidates as against Œve Œelded by the Congress in the 28 constituen­cies in Karnataka.

“When they have failed to give ticket to adequate number of women, how can people believe the assurance (in the manifesto) that they will e“ectively enforce the Women’s Reservatio­n Act,” Ms. Gatty said.

The BJP’s manifesto is Œlled with hyperboles and it lacks actionable schemes to mitigate problems of people a“ected owing to in•ation and unemployme­nt. The Congress’s manifesto has Mahalaxmi scheme of giving — 1 lakh annually to woman head of the poor family. “This money will go a long way in empowering women,” she said.

In the last 10 years, the BJP has only said lies and failed to answer needs of people. In Dakshina Kannada and other Lok Sabha constituen­cies in the State, the BJP has used emotional issues to fuel communal passion and win elections. On the other hand, the Congress has stayed committed to secular values. In the present nearly year long rule, the Congress government has e“ectively implemente­d the Œve guarantees. “We are conŒdent of winning the Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha seat.”

The Congress, along parties from the Indian National Developmen­tal Inclusive Alliance, will form a stable government in the Centre and enforce Mahalaxmi scheme and assurances made in the manifesto, she said.

 ?? H.S. MANJUNATH ?? Mamta Gatty, chairperso­n, Karnataka Cashew Developmen­t Corporatio­n, speaking at a press conference in Mangaluru on Wednesday.
H.S. MANJUNATH Mamta Gatty, chairperso­n, Karnataka Cashew Developmen­t Corporatio­n, speaking at a press conference in Mangaluru on Wednesday.

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