Out of home, into limelight for MCD's women candidates

New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) Leaving their jobs and household chores aside for a change, women candidates in Sunday's Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls are enjoying the limelight of campaigning and the challenge that lies ahead.

Thanks to 50 percent reservation of seats for them, there is high women's participation in these polls. While the Congress has put up 142 women candidates, the BJP has fielded 139.

"This is a new experience for me, but I must say I'm enjoying it - the responsibility as well as the limelight," Pinky Jain, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from central Delhi's Deputy Ganj, told IANS.

"If I get elected I will definitely work hard to fulfil the expectations people have from me," said the 48-year-old who is the wife of Praveen Jain, the sitting councillor from the area.

Apart from looking after the family, she also takes care of their chemical shop when her husband is busy. "So far I have dedicated all my time to my home and the shop, but now I want to venture out and do something different and challenging," she said.

Agreed 30-year-old Renu Kamboj, another BJP candidate from west Delhi's Paschim Vihar (north) seat.

"Running a household is considered easy by many, but I want to prove all such people wrong. A homemaker knows how to balance things perfectly - from raising kids to managing the house budget. This experience will definitely come in handy," said Kamboj.

A former school teacher, Kamboj has been running a coaching institute in her house for four years and says she decided to enter politics only after fulfilling her duties at home.

"I would have fought the last civic polls as well but my daughter was in Class 12 back then and I realised that she needed my guidance and support, so I decided to give it a miss," said Kamboj.

Congress candidate Monika Puri said being a doctor she intends to treat the whole community rather than individuals.

"Public health is my forte and I will do my work with a good intention," said the 28-year-old contesting for north Delhi's Rohini (central) seat.

Puri said she was willing to give preference to politics over being a doctor. "I was head of the students union in my college and would like to do more good work as a politician," she said.

Ballots will be cast for 272 wards to the trifurcated MCD April 15. Fifty percent of the seats have been reserved for women as against 33 percent earlier. Close to 10 million voters will be eligible to cast the ballot.

(Rahul Vaishnavi can be contacted at rahul.v@ians.in)