43 women runners against 52 men in 9 Khulna upazilas

'Woman for woman' is the main poll slogan

9 January 2009, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Khulna

'Woman for woman' is now the main slogan of women candidates to draw sympathy of women voters in the upcoming upazila election in Khulna. Forty-three women are contesting for the posts of vice- chairman in nine upazilas in the district. Against them, 52 male candidates are in the race. The women candidates are visiting houses of voters from dawn to dusk to seek votes, making lofty promises. They are mainly banking on women voters. Most of them have an added advantage. They are using extra services of their husbands and adult children in the hectic polls campaign. They are assuring poor women voters that if elected, they will get bank loan for cottage industry and purchasing sewing machines to earn more for better living. Talking to this correspondent, Bulu Roy Ganguly contesting from Batiaghata upazila with Lotus symbol said, “I have got the chance to stand by rural women neglected so long. If elected, I will help them change their lifestyle”. According to Khulna district election office, three candidates each are contesting for the post woman vice-chairman in Batiaghata and Phultala upazilas, nine in Dumuria, five each in Terokhada, Rupsha, Paikgacha and Dakop and four each in Koira and Digholia upazilas. “We are sparing no pains to win hearts particularly of women and also their husbands. New voters are also our target” said Murshida Khanam who is a graduate. She is contesting with Butterfly symbol from Paikgacha in the January 22 upazila election. Women candidates are campaigning with their supporters even at night, carrying lanterns and torch, braving biting cold.