BJP’s women candidates absent from Veraval meet, husbands show up as ‘proxy representation’

An unusual situation unfolded at a BJP event in Gir Somnath district when several women candidates fielded for local body elections were absent from a party meeting, with their husbands attending in their place, prompting a public rebuke from senior leaders.

The incident occurred during a ‘Vijay Vishwas Sammelan' organised in Veraval to strategise for the upcoming taluka, district panchayat and municipal elections and to introduce party candidates.

As per party sources, in constituencies where women had been nominated, their spouses were seen occupying the stage instead, while similar trends were observed on social media, where husbands were allegedly campaigning using their own images rather than those of the candidates.

The development drew criticism from Rajesh Chudasama, who addressed the issue during the event and stressed the need to promote women’s direct participation in politics.

Referring to the proposed implementation of women’s reservation, he said the party was committed to strengthening women’s leadership and urged workers to ensure that women candidates attend meetings and actively participate in campaigning.

“If tickets have been given to women, they must be brought to the forefront and provided a platform,” he said, adding that party leadership was closely monitoring such developments.

MLA Bhagwan Barad also criticised the practice, warning that excessive involvement of spouses in place of candidates could send a wrong message to voters and affect the party’s image.

He urged party workers to ensure that women candidates step out, engage with voters and lead their own campaigns.