BELAGAVI: Both the national parties — BJP and Congress — may have diametrically opposite views. But when it comes to selecting heads for their state women’s blocks, both parties seem to have zeroed in on Belagavi.
While Nippani MLA Shashikala Jolley is leading the BJP, AICC member Laxmi Hebbalkar is in charge of the Congress wing.
Laxmi had been heading the party in the district (rural segment) for almost four years, while Shashikala was the district president for about a year and has been the state women’s block chief for one-and-a-half-years.
Both Shashikala and Laxmi come from the cooperative sector, which is male-dominated and have made a mark for themselves.
Shashikala, who is an accomplished businesswoman and educationist from the Chikkodi region, began her social service in the cooperative sector by establishing the Bhireshwar Cooperative Bank.
Though it started as a small bank, it started an ATM in Belagavi district.
Those in the cooperative sector and staff of the bank give credit to Shashikala, who dreamt of starting the first ATM in the district.
Laxmi was one of the directors of the Bhagyalaxmi Sugar Factory, called Laila Sugars, at Khanapur town.
Both Shashikala and Laxmi have similar personalities and working style. Though they belong to national parties, they are soft spoken and avoid blame-game.
Shashikala was made the state chief of the women’s block after she was elected to the Assembly, while Laxmi earned the position though she lost both the Assembly and Parliamentary polls. Laxmi, who was given the authorisation letter only on Wednesday, said discharging the duty gives her satisfaction and added that she was grateful to the high command for trusting her with additional responsibility.
She said she will do her best to solve the problems being faced by women workers in politics and create an atmosphere so that more women, especially the educated, join politics. Laxmi said she felt sad about the plight of women in politics.
Shashikala said she is satisfied with her work and added that political parties were now realising the importance of women in strengthening the party. She said women must be given opportunities in election-based politics instead of using their services as only office bearers.