Rajdev Pandey, Patna. After independence, when the country was being built, there were many women in politics who played an important role in policy making through their representation in Parliament. Among them were women politicians who had spent years in the student movement, freedom movement and trade unions. However, now that golden period of public service background of women representing Bihar in the country’s politics is almost over. Now in Bihar politics, daughters of families and wives of leaders are getting tickets. It would not be wrong to say that she is handling the legacy of the male relatives of her family.
Family background is important, not political support.
In fact, many such women candidates do not have any political support base. If there is a basis, it is only ceremonial. This time, there are many women from Bihar who have got tickets for the Lok Sabha elections, who are either the daughter of a big leader or someone’s wife. There are many such examples where the qualification for getting a ticket is family politics.
Tarakeshwari Sinha took part in the freedom movement
In the first Lok Sabha elections of 1952, Tarakeshwari Sinha contested from Patna East on Congress ticket. She was elected to the Lok Sabha four times. However, before entering politics, she was a student leader. She was one of the first women politicians in the country. He played an active role in the Quit India Movement. When the country became independent, he worked for the party. At the age of 26, she was elected to the first Lok Sabha in 1952 from Patna East constituency. Later she was a minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. During that period she was established as a progressive woman politician. In those times, tickets were given only to those who participated in public service and public relations.
Shakuntala Devi and Ramdulari Sinha had different identities.
Shakuntala Devi won the election from Banka Lok Sabha seat in the 1957 Lok Sabha elections. He played a big role in the Congress organization. She was also a Lok Sabha member three times and later an MLA. Similarly, Ramdulari Sinha, who won the election from Patna Lok Sabha seat in 1962, was also a very important woman leader. She also became a Union Minister and Governor. She was the first woman from Bihar to obtain a master’s degree. His entire family was deeply engaged in the freedom movement.
In 1947-48, he played the role of General Secretary of Bihar Pradesh Youth Congress. In view of her dedication and leadership in the political field, she was appointed as the Organization Secretary of Bihar Mahila Congress. He did great work for the workers. He led many labor organizations. He also worked to end dowry system, purdah system and untouchability. She was also elected Vice President of the International Labor Organization, a United Nations agency, in 1973.
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Satyabhama Devi had donated 500 bighas of land.
Satyabhama Devi was also elected from Nawada in 1957 and Jehanabad Lok Sabha seat in 1962. Satyabhama Devi played an active role in the Bhoodan movement started by Acharya Vinoba Bhave after independence. He had donated his 500 bighas of land to the poor under Bhoodan. There are many such examples. In this way, till two decades ago, priority was given in giving tickets to women with serious political background. However, as an exception, women from some big families also contested elections.
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