KENDRAPARA: The 50 percent seat reservation for women candidates in the gram panchayat election has led to cropping up of many ‘puppet’ candidates in Kendrapara district.
Socials workers believe there are many Rabri Devi-like candidates here and many more Lalu Prasads who make their wives, daughters, mothers and sisters contest against the reserved seats. “After they win, the male members take over the reins of power, relegating the actual candidate to the background”, said Amarbara Biswal, a social worker. Interestingly, the women have no issues with this.
Sipra Mandal (45) is contesting for the first time for the post of Sarpanch from Ramanagar gram panchayat of Mahakalapada block. Her husband, Mrutunjya, was elected as Sarpanch from Ramanagar thrice in a row.
However, this time Mrutunjaya fielded his wife for the post as it is now reserved for women candidates.Similarly, Sushree Sangita Prusti (23), daughter of Rajiv Prusti, filed her nomination papers on Monday to contest from Kuhudi gram panchayat for the post of Sarpanch.
In the last poll, voters had elected her father, Rajiv Prusti, as the Sarpanch. “This year, he asked me to contest as the seat has been reserved,” candidates depends on and the candidate, who is a diploma holder in mechanical engineering from a private engineering college at Marsaghai.
Gourirani Pradhan (65) is in the race for the post of Sarpanch from Bachharai gram panchayat. In the last rural poll, her son Pradipta was elected to the post. Draped in a veil, Gourirani has nothing much to say except, “My son Pradipta was the Sarpanch last time and he compelled me to contest this time.”
When asked about the problems in the villages, Gourirani looked towards her son for answers. On persuasion, she said, “I will do many developmental works in our panchayat with the help of my sons and other family members”.
Like Gourirani, Sushree and candidates depend, many women on their male relatives for campaigning in the rural polls. After the elections, they will remain as puppets and their male relatives will pull the strings.