Women step into unreserved territory

Atrocities on women or their depressing sex ratio notwithstanding, their number in the forthcoming elections to the seven municipal corporations in Haryana shows a good picture.

Besides contesting from 33% wards reserved for them, women have entered the fray from the unreserved wards. In all, 637 women candidates are among the 1,683 candidates contesting from 144 wards in the seven MCs. Seven wards each are reserved for women in Rohtak, Hisar, Panchkula, Yamunangar, Ambala and Karnal MCs, while eight are reserved in the Panipat MC.

Yamunanagar puts up the best picture with 103 women out of 217 candidates (47.5%) in the fray followed by Hisar that has 122 women out of 294 candidates (41.5%).

The poorest showing is in Panipat where out of 318 candidates only 91 are women (28.6 %). The number in Ambala stands at 68 women of the 180 candidates (37%), in Karnal 83 women out of 239 candidates (34.7%), in Panchkula 62 women of the total 160 candidates (38.7%) and in Rohtak 108 women out of 275 candidates (39.2 %).

When it comes to women contesting from unreserved wards, Hisar leads the pack with 44 followed by Rohtak at 36. Panchkula is at the bottom rung with 14 women contesting from unreserved seats. Panipat's record is no better with 15 women in the fray from unreserved wards followed by Karnal at 16. In Ambala and Yamunanagar, 22 women each are contesting from general wards each in.

Both Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who are contesting on their respective party symbols, have fielded women candidates from unreserved wards. The INLD has fielded three women each from unreserved wards in Hisar and Panchkula, while one woman candidate from Ambala and Rohtak. As for the BJP, it has fielded one woman candidate each from Ambala and Panchkula.

MAKING THEIR PRESENCE FELT

In all, 637 women candidates are among the 1,683 candidates contesting from 144 wards in the seven MCs.
District Women total %age
Yamunanagar 103 217 47.5
Hisar 122 294 41.5
Rohtak 108 275 39.2
Panchkula 62 160 38.7
Ambala 68 180 37
Karnal 83 239 34.7
Panipat 91 318 28.6