Power women in politics: Mamata, Jayalalitha sweep victories

The power women in Indian politics have won polls in an extraordinary manner this year. Mamata Banerjee and Jayalalitha have got the power positions in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, states where corruption and politics had taken a grave turn.

Mamata Banerjee is set to make history in West Bengal. Her Trinamool Congress party has had a landslide win and Kolkata is set to have a new Chief Minister in their very own Didi. Says a smiling Mamata to PTI, "I will be happy if people triumph."

Mamata Banerjee, founder and chairperson of Trinamool Congress and the current Railway Minister of the Republic of India is all about connecting with the ordinary people. Her slogan 'Ma, maati, maanush' (mother, motherland and the people) itself explains what her ideals as a politician are about.

A strong protestor against Special Economic Zones and forceful land acquisition for industrialization in West Bengal at the cost of agriculturalists and farmers, this maverick was the reason that CPM, the 34 year old ruling party in WB, had to curb and surrender the Nano project as well as the Nandigram chemical project.

She has been a prolific politician since college where she learnt the basic ethos- that you need to be loved and maintain good relationships with people. She has been attacked by enemies many times in her career, and has got back on her feet with stronger fervour.

The strong willed lady graduated with an honours degree in history and later earned a master's degree in Islamic History from the University of Calcutta. She also has a degree in law.

Since the very beginning of her career, she has maintained a very austere luifestyle, and is known for her signature plain white saree and cotton bag. She has remained single throughout her life.

While her critics (especially her arch nemesis, the Communist Party of WB) would call her loud, brash and not fit enough to be the Chief Minister of a state, we would only say that this power woman has enough gumption to lead a state in her petite shoulders.

Here's to women power!



Jayalalitha led All Indian Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) had an assured win in the Tamil Nadu assembly polls. The incumbent Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and his party, the DMK, which suffered setbacks on account of 2G spectrum scam and corruption involving the first family members, seeked a second successive term but in vain.

And with that, the yesteryear actress and popular party leader, Amma is all set to sit on the Tamil Nadu throne after a five year hiatus.

In 1981, she joined the AIADMK and was popular for her association with the Late M. G. Ramachandran (popularly known as M.G.R), a movie star and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. With many controversies to her name during her political stint, the lady has emerged each time and managed to be in the favour of the people for a long time now.

The power woman has risen again, showing the men in politics, yet again, who is the boss!

For full coverage, read Assembly Elections 2011