Masters of the game by virtue of their lineage
Abhijit Patnaik, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, May 14, 2011
First Published: 17:19 IST(14/5/2011)
Last Updated: 17:22 IST(14/5/2011)
Though the last two decades have seen several women becoming chief
ministers, nearly all have reached the top by virtue of having a
political godfather or a privileged political background. Mamata
Banerjee had neither. Here's a look at some other women who have shot
to the top in state politics
Vasundhara Raje Scindia, royal leader
Chief minister of Rajasthan (Dec 2003-Dec 2008) Vasundhara's mother,
the late Vijaya Raje Scindia, initiated her into politics. Vasundhara
served as cabinet minister under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government,
and romped home to a majority in the 2003 Rajasthan polls.
Likes to hear: "Hukum keejiye, Rani sahiba"
Doesn't like to hear: "Shane Warne is leaving the Rajasthan Royals"
Rabri Devi, her husband's wife
Chief minister of Bihar (July 1997- Feb 1999, March 1999-March 2000,
2000-2005) and wife of former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav,
she was the chief inheritor of Bihar's problems. Having taken over the
reins of Bihar when Lalu was implicated in the fodder scam, the
biggest import of her political speeches was 'support my husband'.
Likes to hear: "Lalu has decided to shave his ears"
Doesn't like to hear: "Narsanhar aur bhrashtachar, jail se chalti thi sarkar"
J Jayalalithaa, Actress-turned neta
Chief minister of Tamil Nadu (1991-1996, 2001-2006), Jayalalithaa
entered Tamil Nadu politics thanks to her close association with Tamil
cinema superstar and former chief minister M.G. Ramachandran. Her
administration was known for some progressive policies, like the
banning of lottery tickets.
Likes to hear: "Want to go saree shopping?"
Doesn't like to hear: "Jaya TV's TRP's behind Kalaignar TV"
Mayawati, Dalit power
Chief minister of Uttar Pradesh (June 1995-Oct 1995, March 1997-Sept
1997, May 2002-Sept 2003, May 2007-present) and a protégé of Dalit
leader Kanshi Ram, Mayawati symbolises the aspirations of millions of
Dalits. The youngest and first woman Dalit CM of UP, she has
controversially channeled state funds to build statues and memorial
parks dedicated to Dalit leaders.
Likes to hear: "Now that we have renamed Amethi, can Rae Bareilly be
far behind?"
Doesn't like to hear: "We have a proposal for a new Taj Corridor project"
Uma Bharti, Volatile sanyasin
Chief minister of Madhya Pradesh (Dec 2003-Aug 2004),
Bharti first caught national attention during the Ramjanmabhoomi
movement. Known for her mercurial temper and fiery oratory, she showed
political shrewdness by setting aside a Hindutva agenda and campaigned
on a development plank, beating the suave Digvijay Singh in the 2003
MP elections. But she was forced to resign a few months later.
Likes to hear: "You are being re-inducted into the BJP"
Doesn't like to hear: "You would look gorgeous in green!"
Sheila Dikshit, Rock star aunty
Into her third term as chief minister of Delhi (Dec 2003-present),
Sheila Dikshit's plusses include a clean-politician image and good job
performance. But her image has taken a recent slide after the CWG mess
and her inability to make the national capital safer for women.
Likes to hear: "Delhi Metro, flyovers, malls…"
Doesn't like to hear: "BRT, CWG, MCD..."
------------------------------------
----
INFORMATION OVERLOAD?
Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to ZESTMedia-digest@yahoogroups.com, OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/
PARTICIPATE:-
On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com
TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:-
If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to ZESTCaste-subscribe@yahoogroups.com OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/
Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
ZESTCaste-digest@yahoogroups.com
ZESTCaste-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ZESTCaste-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
No comments:
Post a Comment