Female participation in India’s elections have risen over the years, something parties can’t ignore
Women queueing to cast their votes at a polling station in the southern Indian state of Telangana on May 13.
Yet to the women’s surprise, and in contrast to the behaviour they had endured the previous night, the men squeezed themselves into a corner to make room for them, paid for their meals, and opted to sleep on the floor of the coach so that the women could use the padded berths above. The results due out on June 4 will tell us if he continues to do so, or has slipped in their esteem. If women substantially abide by him, Mr Modi is on solid ground despite the noise currently evident on television screens and social media that makes him look a tad vulnerable as the seven-stage elections drag on.
Part of it has to do with his image as a leader: as prime minister, he has exuded an energy, resolve and decisiveness that seemed to elude his immediate predecessors in office – Dr Manmohan Singh, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Mr Inder Gujral. Mr Modi took that cachet to the entire nation in 2014, riding the prevailing misgivings over the dysfunctionality and corruption in the Manmohan Singh-led Congress coalition to sweep to power on the back of his charisma, oratory and promises of “less government, more governance”. While that election was an anti-incumbency wave against Congress, the 2019 polls were a decisively pro-Modi surge. And the women’s vote was a decisive factor.
To be sure, some of the increase in numbers could be the result of a greater willingness to report crime. Besides, policing is a state subject. Although Mr Modi is regarded as a Hindu nationalist, one in five Muslims is reckoned to have voted for him in 2019. Of those, a majority were women.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Commentary: Why I allow my employees to moonlight — and why other companies should tooMany companies still draw the line at letting their staff take up side jobs — but what if they actually increase employee engagement and productivity?
Read more »
Commentary: Why I allow my employees to moonlight — and why other companies should tooMany companies still draw the line at letting their staff take up side jobs — but what if they actually increase employee engagement and productivity?
Read more »
India's Modi denies stoking divisions to win election, files nominationNEW DELHI — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended himself against criticism that he is stoking divisions between Hindus and Muslims to win national elections as he filed his nomination on Tuesday (May 14) for re-election from one of Hinduism's holiest cities.
Read more »
Modi files candidacy for India election in Hindu holy cityVARANASI, India: Cheering crowds greeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (May 14) as he submitted his candidacy for a Hindu holy city's parliamentary seat in a general election
Read more »
Modi files candidacy for India election in VaranasiA supporter said Mr Modi is "like a God to people of Varanasi".
Read more »
India top court grants temporary bail to opposition leader Kejriwal to campaign in electionsNarendra Modi’s government has been accused of using investigating agencies to hurt poll rivals.
Read more »