Jason bourne
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No one would deny that an increasing number of women across the country, especially urban women find Narendra Modi, the Prime Ministerial candidate for the BJP-led NDA, appealing. That 48 per cent of the under 35 years total voters is women and also that he enjoys a significantly higher popularity among women than men will become all the more crucial during the 2014 General Election.
Modis popularity among women was quite evident during the Assembly election of Gujarat in December 2012. An article in Lens on News too discussed this point at great length. The article stated that higher participation of women in Gujarat can act as an antidote to the local level anti-incumbency factor or the caste factor functioning against some of the partys contenders and thus, can drive up the BJPs tally on the power of Modis own attractiveness.
A pre-poll survey conducted by Niti Digital back in 2012 ahead of the Gujarat Assembly election also bears out the strong affinity between the women voters and Modis ratings for strong leadership. Lot of discussion goes on about what is it that makes him appealing whether it is his no nonsense achiever tough mans image or is the aura that he exudes thanks to the powerful posts he holds. It is a very obvious question to ask when we see that the youth and women vote loyally for Modi.
If we go by the words of Smriti Irani, the noted TV actor and the BJPs vice president, Gone are the days of Rajiv Gandhi who said, Hum dekhenge, sochenge, karenge. Modi says things are happening in Gujarat; and women appreciate it. Its not an emotional appeal, its logical and action oriented. Her views are seconded by many women who feel that it is only Modi who can make things happening for the country and help the country getting rid of two major problems, i.e., corruption and inflation. DNA too had reported that Gujarat in the 2012 Assembly election saw a huge turnout of women who voted for the BJP and Narendra Modi because they feel they are safe under the BJP rule in the State.
DNAs article by Manisha Pande quotes some female fans of Modi who see him as one who has the power to control conditions and bring about changes in the country. Women use phrases like really powerful, dynamic, assertive. The fairer gender is often heard stating that only Modi can give Indians their dignity back and that he is the one who can provide the nation with the leadership that will help the country tackle issues of Chinese intrusion, Bangladeshi refugees, communal forces, Maoists, and also political degradation. The article further cites that many women discuss the aura he possesses and feel that he will do the country proud when he represents the nation at an international level.
It would be apt to figure out what is it that makes women vote loyally for Modi. In an interview to DNA, sociologist Dipankar Gupta presented his views saying that charisma is not as much about a person or the gist of grace but about the situation. Rise in crimes against women and the feeling that the present Government has been inept in making cities safer has made him all the more charming. In fact, it becomes all the more important to know what Modi has to say about women empowerment and safety and other issues related to the women. However, more important is the work he has done for women empowerment and safety.
He had even accepted the fact that he gets shivers and thought how this society could move if there were only 700 plus girls against 1000 boys when he came to know about the skewed gender ratio in Gujarat. He himself led a big public campaign to save the girl child. The laws were made stricter and doctors were compelled to follow them.
NaMo on women
People who dont respect women are demons.
Status of women in India is worse than the 18th century.
If we have to build a modern India, then we will have to first give dignity to the Indian woman.
Our culture gives the highest status to women.
If women are feeling unsafe we are not fit to call ourselves mard.
In a news story published in DNA, Smriti Irani said that two years back, she had invited 25 women from different States to Gujarat. After touring the State, they gave their feedback to Modi on whats right and whats not. The ladies were very happy and they gave very constructive feedback to Modi, who listened to them very attentively and perhaps, even implemented it.
She also stated that be it urban or rural areas, women had productive inputs on economic issues, Current Account Deficit (CAD), security issues, education, corruption et al and she continued that contrary to the misconception women are loyal electorate and make their own choices and not influenced by the male members of the family. This can be an advantage during General Elections of 2014 also as women are not generally swayed by the local level and candidate specific factors. They often vote on the basis of issues and who is the leader. To top it, even BJPs overall voting share increases with the rise in women vote as per a study conducted by Zee Research Group, of elections in 15 States. This clearly indicates that women vote in favour of the BJP and Narendra Modi.
For Modi also comes a word of caution from Nistula Hebbar, when in her article in The Economic Times she says that Modi and his image consultants need pay attention to the fact that powerful men attract female attention and support but fairer gender doesnt prefer a bully. Therefore, Modi who banks on his strong leadership style has to ensure that he chooses politically correct terms when he addresses crowds.
koi
