The Hindu : New Delhi News : `Madam' and `Didi' set up pitched battle for Karol Bagh

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 26, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

`Madam' and `Didi' set up pitched battle for Karol Bagh

By Bindu Shajan Perappadan

NEW DELHI, APRIL 25. As the country prepares for its first general elections of the Century, a rather small constituency in the Capital, Karol Bagh, has an interesting fight waiting in the wings. The only reserved constituency in the Capital, Karol Bagh is also the only one where the fight is between two women - sitting Member of Parliament, Anita Arya, of the Bhartiya Janata Party and Krishna Tirath of the Congress.

Claiming to have spent the maximum of the constituency money allocated to her, Anita Arya is confident that she can win again. "Madam", as she is called by her workers, has a special interest in reading, cooking and worshiping, but currently she has a rather gruelling schedule of padyatras from 8 a.m. to 11a.m., followed by a series of meetings and a quick lunch. She is then back to padyatra again at 4 p.m.

And minutes before "Madam'' is to reach the selected destination for canvassing, "dholwallas'' and jeeps decorated with the party flag announce her arrival. She almost rushes into the venue accompanied by khadi-clad supporters, each screaming out her name, trying to outdo each other.

"Mera kaam hi meri pahchan hai,'' (My work is my identity), claims Anita Arya, as she collects the marigold garlands handed to her by the people around. The women here are clearly excited on seeing their leader. "So what if we saw her only last time when she came campaigning?'' asks Latia, who runs a tea stall in one of the many small bylanes of Karol Bagh. Anita Arya stops often during her racy yatra to speak to women and children handing them her garland and enquiring about home and school trying hard to strike a rapport.

"These are my people and I know what their problems are, I have already allocated land for building a hospital, the parking problems have reduced to a large extent and though water is still a huge problem here the conditions have improved,'' asserts Anita Arya, as she rushes inot yet another narrow bylane.

And while Madam is identified with super crisp cotton saris, "Didi'' as the Congress candidate, Krishna Tirath, is known, cannot be missed with her large red bindi. Hands folded and her husband carefully having planned her route the previous day, Krishna seems super confident.

"Help me to work for you,'' she screams, her voice already hoarse from the numerous election speeches she has been giving. And one can't miss the ease with which women connect to Krishna Tirath. "I am coming back,'' she assures them as she stops to hold hands and pet the young. "The people voted for Anita and have seen that she can do no work. Why has she not spent any money on the welfare of her people? My main agenda would be to provide water, employment and a decongested set-up in Karol Bagh,'' says Krishna Tirath.

And while most of the campaigns here have a sizeable number of women gathered to `watch' the candidates, men can be overheard talking in groups about how politics too is being over taken by women. At least in Karol Bagh, the statement does not seem out of place.

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