Y.S. RANA ,HAMIRPUR (HP)–OCT 15—When it comes to exercise their franchise the women folk of Himachal Pradesh is big at heart compared to their men. Since 1998 assembly elections more women have exercised their franchise. This time also women may play a major role in the assembly election slated for November 4. Comprising almost 50 per cent of total electorates of 46.04 lakhs comprising women voters 22.67 lakhs and male voters 23.36 lakhs. They have already done a lot to change the governments in the state from time to time.
In 1998 assembly election 72.23 per cent women cast their votes compared to 70.24 per cent by men. In 2003, they again faired well in exercising their franchise. About 73 per cent women used their right to vote against 73.14 per cent by men. In 2007, though the percentage of women has decreased marginally 1.50 per cent, however, 72.55 per cent have cast their votes compared to 69.57 per cent of men voters.
Out of 12 districts in the state, seven districts Kinnaur, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Una, Kangra, Chamba and Lahaul Spiti recorded higher number of women voting percentage compared to men in the last assembly election.
In Hamirpur district, women outnumber men when it comes to population figures. There are 1.95 lakh men and 2.16 lakh women. The women folk already have 33 per cent reservation for various posts in panchayati raj institutions right from panches to the chairpersons of zila parishads as the literacy percentage of females in district is too high to other parts of the country. The literacy rate in the state is 83.16 per cent and literacy percentage among women is 76.14 per cent.
The district comprises 229 panchayats and 1694 villages. It has five assembly seats—Hamirpur, Sujanpur, Barsar, Bhoranj and Nadaun. Keeping sizeable presence of women in the district, the BJP directed its attention towards women by forming mahila mandals and women societies over past few years in return it helped the party in its political ambition. This time also they may tilt the tide of results. Number of voters in the five segments is- Hamirpur (65,202); Barsar (74,950); Nadaun (79,759); Sujanpur (64,208) and Bhoranj (70,601).
In 2007 assembly election, score was 4-1 in favour of the BJP. P.K. Dhumal won Bamsan seat securing 76.25 per cent votes; Urmil Thakur (Hamirpur) 55.48 per cent; I.D. Dhiman (Mewa) 52 per cent; Baldev Sharma (Nadaunta) 53.9 (all BJP) and Sukhvinder Sukhoo of Congress won Nadaun seat securing 38.57 per cent votes polled. Due to delimitation Mewa and Bamsan seats have been merged and new segments of Sujanpur and Barsar have been created.
Since 1989 except in 1996 the Congress could not win Hamirpur Parliament seat. In 2009 Hamirpur Parliament election, Anuraj Thakur, elder son of Prof P.K. Dhuma, chief minister, Himachal Pradesh won the seat with huge margin of 73,000 votes. He had also recorded lead in all the 17 assembly segments of the district. But this time, much water has flown down in the Beas. With women outnumbering and participation of women in polls would be crucial for both the parties.