“The men get liquor, they are taken to fancy restaurants, fed big meals and given money on top of it. What do we get?” asked Sakamma in Holalkere constituency.
[email protected]The traditional image of a woman voter in rural areas as one who meekly follows the male decision-maker in the family while casting her vote no longer seems to hold true in Karnataka. Women voters appear to be just as forthcoming as men to discuss issues such as caste, religion, candidates and parties before taking a call on who to vote for.
Vaarija, in a small hamlet in Bantwal, listened to her neighbour Verghese’s explanation about the state government’s move to make education free for all girls up to postgraduation. “I wish these facilities don’t remain just on paper but reach all of us,” she said, wistfully. “What is the point in voting every election when none of this reaches us?”
Sunitha and Sudha, selling fish at Bagepalli, came across as equally determined to make their votes count. “We haven’t decided who to vote for, but it will be for someone who improves our lives,” said Sunitha.
Sheela, Nagapushpa and Sunanda, housewives out on a walk in Uttamballi village in Kollegal (SC) constituency, were initially hesitant to express their views. But after some time, Sheela said, “All the programmes have reached us. It is certainly better than Yeddyurappa’s government. But I don’t know whether we should have Siddaramaiah or Yeddyurappa as CM.”
However, Virupakshamma (70), in Moka village of Ballari, said she was sure who she would vote for. She cautiously looked for her son, confirmed he was not within earshot and said, “He wants me to vote for BJP. But I am voting for this (showed her uplifted palm, the symbol of Congress). ”
On the other hand, Sudha Hiremath, a railway employee in Hubballi city said, “The Congress has split our community (by granting minority religion status to Lingayats), which I am not happy about. I will vote only based on that.”
At Vidyagiri in Moodabidre, a group of women teachers got into intense discussion when asked about local candidates and other poll factors. “With the media constantly projecting PM Modi, naturally he is a factor,” said K Poornashri from Bantwal. “However, I support Siddaramaiah, because he is sympathetic to all religions and people from all castes,” she said. Her friend, Ramya, from Dharmasthala however said that she was on the other side. “My vote is only for Modi, no one else is good for this country,” she said.
At Kakiboranahatti in Molkalmuru, a bunch of tribal women crowded around the car that had followed the candidate of a party. They peered in and whispered in Telugu – “Ikkada eeyandi. Akkada kaadhu (Give it to us, not to them)”.
“The men get liquor, they are taken to fancy restaurants, fed big meals and given money on top of it. What do we get?” asked Sakamma in Holalkere constituency.
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