Women power: Mamata, Jaya beat 'BJP storm'

Bangalore, May 16: Among the regional political outfits in India, the brightest performances in the 16th Lok Sabha elections came from two parties which are headed by women.

Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, led by Mamata Banerjee, and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, led by Jayalalithaa, registered landslide victory in their respective states. So far, TMC has won 26 seats in West Bengal. In 2009 general elections, TMC had won 19 seats.

In Tamil Nadu, of the 39 seats, AIADMK won 37. In 2009, they had won just 9 seats.

Both, Mamata and Jaya had refused to ally with the BJP and went to polls alone. Mamata Banerjee, known for her sharp tongue and belligerent attitude, had made several verbal attacks on Modi during her poll rallies. A day ago, Jayalalithaa had expelled a pro-Modi leader from her party.

Now that they have registered a landslide victory, BJP will not need the support of TMC or AIADMK to form a union government. But both the women leaders will make a strong opposition at the Centre.

Also, the Bharathiya Janata Party won all the seats in Rajasthan, which is headed by Vasundhara Raje, who was sworn in as chief minister last year.

However, another powerful woman leader, BSP chief Mayawati had to suffer a heavy defeat in Uttar Pradesh. Her party was completely routed in the state, where BJP won most of the seats.

Oneindia News