Women labourers in fray in Kolar

Thirty-five-year-old Gangamma, a resident of Madhavaburjenahalli, is employed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. She lost her husband  10 years ago and has no children.

Her own condition has given rise to a desire in her to join other women and strive for their welfare.

Secretary of the Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha district unit, Gangamma caught the attention of many when she joined other women leaders last year in dharnas organised by the taluk employment guarantee scheme implementation committee demanding labour. Her candidature for the panchayat poll has raised eyebrows in rival parties.

Sugatur constituency being reserved for a Scheduled Caste woman candidate, the Congress has chosen Reddamma, wife of former zilla panchayat and taluk panchayat member Munikadirappa. The JD(S) has fielded Mangamma, former zilla panchayat president.

Gangamma, however, has no tricks up her sleeve to win the political tussle. She is only supported by the CPM, which is always ready raise a banner of revolt, demanding labour under the employment guarantee scheme.

The Huttur zilla panchayat constituency, reserved for the general category, also has a labourer as candidate. V Geetha, the district-level secretary of Janavadi Mahila Sanghatane, is contesting on a CPM ticket and is the lone woman contender in the constituency.

“I am supported by the struggles that I was a part of for the implementation of the employment guarantee scheme,” says Gangamma.

Geetha says, “I have been a part of the fights for the residents of the district for about a decade. This is my strength as a candidate for the elections.”