Why Priyanka Chaturvedi and Shaina NC speaking out against their own parties must be carefully heard
On March 31, BJP leader Shaina NC, one of the most prominent faces in Maharashtra and a party spokesperson, left many shocked when she lashed out at political parties for not giving women enough representation in ticket distribution for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections — because, in doing so, Shaina was unsparing of her own party.
Commending the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik for ensuring 33% reservation for women in ticket distribution, Shaina said all parties needed to wake up.
All political parties need to wake up. Women are 50 percent or the electorate. Upset and appalled to know that other than @MamataOfficial who has given 41 percent and @Naveen_Odisha who has given 33 percent to women candidates all other parties only pay lip service to our cause. pic.twitter.com/ZKVriLlvLS
— Chowkidar Shaina NC (@ShainaNC) March 31, 2019
“Ability requires opportunity”. Talent needs to be showcased. Leadership across the board need to give more #women #politicians a chance for us to prove our electoral competence.
— Chowkidar Shaina NC (@ShainaNC) March 30, 2019
On April 17, Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi went public with her resentment at her own party for taking back workers who had been thrown out for reportedly misbehaving with her.
Deeply saddened that lumpen goons get prefence in @incindia over those who have given their sweat&blood. Having faced brickbats&abuse across board for the party but yet those who threatened me within the party getting away with not even a rap on their knuckles is unfortunate. https://t.co/CrVo1NAvz2
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) April 17, 2019
Both women from India’s national parties need to be commended, not just for speaking out against the wrongs in their respective parties — but also speaking up for themselves.
For far too long, women have silently contributed to their respective organisations, without demanding their fare share. Worse, they made peace with the status quo.
Both Shaina and Chaturvedi are reportedly miffed with their respective parties for being denied tickets. Individually, their cases for tickets may not hold because they do not have enough popular public support although both are fiery speakers, defending their parties on every single issue.
But the issues both women leaders have raised are important.
Shaina talking about her own party denying tickets to an adequate number of women and Chaturvedi speaking out against her party leaders for not taking action against men who allegedly misbehaved with her are very important issues that national parties cannot brush under the carpet.
Priyanka Chaturvedi has chosen to resign from the party to mark her protest.
I am absolutely overwhelmed and grateful with the love and support I have got across board from the nation in the past 3 days. I consider myself blessed with this immense outpouring of support. Thank you to all who have been a part of this journey. pic.twitter.com/WhUYYlwHLj
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) April 19, 2019
In her resignation letter addressed to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Chaturvedi wrote, "What saddens me is that despite the safety, dignity, and empowerment of women being promoted by the party and has been your call to action the same in not reflected in the action of some party members."
A few days ago, local Congress leaders had allegedly misbehaved with Priyanka Chaturvedi while she was attending a press conference at Mathura. The Congress had initially removed them but recently, because of the elections and the need for local support, they were reportedly taken back.
Expressing her anguish at this, Chaturvedi retweeted a journalist who commented on an Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee letter declaring that the workers were being taken back with senior leader Jyotiraditya Scindia’s go-ahead. Scindia is the Congress general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh, along with Priyanka Gandhi.
“It is expected that you don't do anything to tarnish the party's image,” said the letter signed by Fazle Masood of the disciplinary committee of the UP Congress.
It is heartening to see women leaders speak up for themselves. One of the many reasons for which women's reservation is sought is that women’s issues get lost in the din created by a mostly male Parliament and state Assemblies. But if women can’t speak up for themselves within their own parties, how will they raise the issues of other women?
Shaina and Chaturvedi have made a good beginning.
More power to them!