Can Rahul woo women voters?

New Delhi: Narendra Modi is trying to be all things to all men: soul-mate of Salman Khan in kite-flying, the Backward Class messiah in caste-ridden UP, the backbone of India’s industrialists, a Development Doctor for the upward mobile, and the much-advertised chai-wallah for the down-trodden. The Modi constituency is all embracing.

The late-comer Mamata Banerjee hopes to piggy-bank on Anna Hazare, the crusader for seasons against corruption. Mamata is kick-starting her campaign from Delhi, which is Arvind Kejriwal’s forte, as if to give a run for his money. In a country neck-deep in corruption, you don’t need another platform to win.

Mayawati’s constituency is Backward Class and more statues, while Mulayam is banking on Yadav votes and minorities. Jayalalithaa’s constituency is histrionics and Tamil universal brotherhood.   

Left with no constituency, Rahul hit upon his unique selling proposition – women empowerment. In a country known for gang rapes and violence on women, what better constituency can Rahul think of? In a country where more than 40% of the voters are women, can Rahul connect to his constituency is the million dollar question.  

“India can’t be a superpower until we empower women. Wherever women are being empowered and given a chance, those states are progressing rapidly,” he told a rally at Tumkur district in Karnataka on Saturday.

“We want to give women an equal chance in politics… In panchayats, in the Assembly, in Parliament, more women should be visible,” he said.

The Congress leader said he wished to ensure there comes a day when women could walk without fear “in the evenings, nights and in buses. I want them represented in every sector with safety, freedom and no fear”.

“We want to open doors for women, doors of schools, hospitals and Parliament, as without you, there is no progress.”