Wanted: Women Politicians In AP

When compared to the male community, the presence of women in politics is very low. Coming to the case of AP, we have hardly few notable women leaders. In the main opposition, Telugu Desam, its chief Chandrababu Naidu categorically commented on minimal women representation in the party. He added that there will be a need for women leaders in the context of further strengthening the party.

Currently TDP has the likes of Vangalapudi Anitha, Panchumarthi Anuradha, Gauthu Sirisha from Srikakulam district, similarly ex-speaker Pratibha Bharati’s daughter Kavali Grisma. Besides them are former ministers Peethala Sujatha and Paritala Sunitha but they hardly appear in public and their voices are rarely heard.

If we look at the YCP.. there are women leaders in every district. Roja, Taneti Vanitha, Vidadala Rajini and Ushasri Charan are women ministers in CM Jagan’s cabinet and the YCP also has fired brand women MLAs who can counter attack the TDP’s criticism.

Sensing a clear lack of women representation, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu suggested AP chief Atchannaidu to work on increasing the presence of women leaders in the party. Accordingly, Naidu has called for a review meeting in every district across AP to identify those women leaders who have fire and can emerge within the party ranks.

On the other hand, Pawan recently decided to strengthen the Jana Sena’s Veera Mahila wing. In fact during the last elections Veera Mahila had nearly 100 women but the number reduced to 20 at the moment. Noticing this Pawan ordered immediate measures. He ordered for committees to be formed with 20 to 25 Veera Mahila in each district and vigorous work would take place in appointment of women leaders.

And lastly in the BJP, except Daggubati Purandeshwari, there are no women leaders in AP BJP. However, AP BJP chief Somu Veerraju believes that this is no big deal whereas voices within the party opine that AP BJP needs more women leaders. There is a huge potential for new faces but for existing leaders like Ratna Prabha, they almost vanished from the public’s sphere.