SHILLONG: The Bharatiya Janata Party will try to field as many women candidates as possible for the 2018 Assembly elections, said the party’s Mahila Morcha national president Vijaya Rahatkar.
Rahatkar and the women’s wing secretary, Pooja Kapil Mishra, were on their maiden visit to the city on Monday.
Addressing a gathering, Rahatkar said, “In Haryana and Maharashtra, we fielded many women. We will do the same in Meghalaya.”
Replying to a query by reporters, the Mahila Morcha chief said homemakers play an active role in politics and nation building and the BJP wing hopes to have 3-4 women workers in each booth.
When asked on women’s reservation, she said, “BJP introduced 33 percent for women within the party during the time of LK Advani,” she said, adding, “We were the first party to bring out the women reservation bill during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.”
Commenting on the spurt of crime against women in the State, she said the State Government should seriously take notice of such crimes.
“There is no security of women here. There are cases registered on a regular basis and even worse is the rape of minors. There is no fear of law here and the Government needs to immediately strengthen the police force to handle the incidents,” she added.
Poll campaign
Rahatkar said to strengthen the party, workers will go to every household to create awareness on central schemes like Swacch Bharat, toilet schemes in villages, MUDRA, maternity leave bill, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, among others.
‘Need for transparency’
Referring to the need for a transparent government, Rahatkar said, “The Government needs to fulfil its promises and ensure that there is no corruption and scams in the State.”
She added that the party will ensure a transparent government.
Commenting on beef ban, she said, “This is for the state to decide and not to interfere with the sentiments of the people of the state.”
Confident of victory in the 2018 Assembly polls in the State, Rahatkar said, “We will come to power and we will form the next government after the 2018 assembly elections.”
