Tumkur: Rahul promises steps to empower women, unleash Mahila Shakti
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Tumkur
Tumkur, Feb 16: After his series of meetings in his roadshows in Karnataka to vow the impressionable younger generation, especially students, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi sought to woo the women and said the Congress party was committed to empower women.
''India cannot become a super power without empowerment of women in all walks of life in the society," he said addressing a massive convention of women at the Mahatma Gandhi Grounds in Tumkur on Sunday, as part of his two-day visit to Karnataka.
''Unless the women of India are empowered, the country can never become a super-power. We want to use your (women’s) strength in the progress of this country," he said receiving thunderous applause from the women.
The Congress Vice President said the doors of the Congress are always open to women.
''We want to open doors for women in all walks of life, especially schools, hospitals and parliament as without women there is no progress," he said.
He appealed more women to contest elections to panchayat, the assembly and the parliament.
''Let us empower women and unleash Mahila Shakti for the country’s development," he said.
The Congress party’s newly appointed election campaign chief praised the Stree Shakti movement launched by S M Krishna-led Congress government in Karnataka and said it had become a model for the empowerment of women in the entire country.
The states where women are being empowered are progressing at a faster pace than other states. The Congress was ready to accommodate more women in the party’s organisational structure as well in issuing ticket to contest elections to harness the power of women for the development of the country, he said.
Gandhi said men outnumber women in the party organization and pointed out that more number of men than women seek tickets to contest elections either to the Legislative Assemblies or the Lok Sabha.
''This situation has to change. More and more educated, talented and capable women should play active role in politics," he said declaring that the Congress party wanted to give women an equal chance in politics.
Targeting the BJP and RSS, Gandhi said the opposition do not respect women and their 'ideological organization’ gives no place for them.
Women are being exploited in places of workplace, buses and houses and neglected in the public life, he said asserting that the Congress party is doing its best to improve the lot of women.
On the issue of crime against women, Gandhi said the Congress passed a stringent law against rape. ''Don’t fear when you go to the city in the evenings and in buses. I want your (women) representation in all sectors with safety, freedom and no fear," he said.
Actor-turned politician and Congress MP Ramya said that only Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi is able to understand problems faced by women in the society.
The Mandya Congress MP said the UPA government has launched several schemes for empowerment of women across the country. Separate banks (Mahila banks) have been for women in Bangalore and more would be opened in other parts of the State soon, she said.
It was the Congress provided 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies and now party was keen to provide 50 per cent of seats for women in parliament and State legislative assemblies, she said.
''Men don’t understand women’s problems. But Rahul Gandhi understands women’s problems better than any other leaders of the Opposition parties," she said amidst a huge applause from the crowd.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the NDA government regime headed by A B Vajapayee government not launched any scheme for the empowerment of women.
Apart from opposing the Mandal Commission report, which recommended reservation for OBCs, the BJP has been making every attempt to divide the society on communal lines, Siddaramaiah said.
KPCC President Dr G Parameshwar accompanied the Congress Vice President during his two-day visit to the State.