Karnataka: Will special manifesto help Janata Dal (Secular) woo women?
Bengaluru: Janata Dal (Secular) leaders rolled out a special manifesto loaded with sops for women voters and promised schemes to empower them in case the party wrests power in next year’s elections to the Legislative Assembly.
Preference to women in judicial appointments, compulsory maternity leave in private organizations and government entities, special health scheme for women agricultural labourers, and enhanced wages for Anganwadi workers figured in eight resolutions adopted at a rally of women workers organized by the party here on Thursday.
Inaugurating the rally, Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch H D Deve Gowda said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured to re-introduce Women’s Reservation Bill, hanging fire for 21 years.
“If the bill is passed, the Legislative Assembly will have 84 women representatives, which no one can restrict,” he said, adding as Prime Minister he introduced the Bill in 1996, but could not be passed in Parliament.
It was introduced several times, but did not see the light of day as many political parties had their reservations about giving quota for women. Mr Narendra Modi, however, had no such compulsions and therefore had promised to pass the bill, he added.
A resolution urging Mr Modi to ensure smooth passage of Women Reservation Bill during the ongoing monsoon session was adopted and a copy dispatched to the Prime Minister. State unit president H D Kumaraswamy advised women participants to work with people and not leaders.
“One need not be from a rich or political family. Since people are deciding your future, be with the people, who will make you leaders,” he added.
Listing poll-related promises, Mr Kumaraswamy said he would introduce '5,000 honorarium to old people above 70 years for purchasing medicines and for a decent living. Besides, pregnant women would get Rs 6,000 a month after six months of pregnancy, till the child turns six month old.
Besides, the afforestation programme would be handed over to people, and Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 a month paid to them with continued employment for 25 years.
