‘As mother of 2 daughters,I’ll get 2 well-settled sons-in-law’

The newly-appointed AIWC president Anita Verma set the tone for the day when a press release issued in her name,said,“Women alone are responsible for female foeticide.”

The press statement blamed women for agreeing to abort a female foetus under pressure from husband and in-laws. It said it starts with a woman – the mother-in-law is usually the first to ask for sex determination tests and abortion – and ends with another woman who agrees to abort the girl child.

However,Verma later disowned the press statement. “I have not issued this statement. The words – women alone responsible for female foeticide – is a mischief played by someone,” she said.

The private public relations firm which had released the press note said it had put it together for the press conference and the note had been faxed to Punjab Mahila Congress president,Ratna for approval. “It was released only after being screened,” said the firm’s director.

The AIWC president,meanwhile,had more nuggets of advice on why a girl child is more desirable. “I am a mother of two daughters. I will get two well-settled sons-in-law. So,as mothers of daughters,one is also relieved of the bigger tension of settling sons,” she said.

Verma went on to say that a major focus of the Mahila Congress,as the Women Reservation Bill awaits nod of the Parliament,is to ensure that women sarpanches get power in their hands. “More often than not,it is their husbands who call the shots. The vision of late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was to empower women. But,it is the husbands who wield the power,” she said,adding the Bill will ensure 50 per cent reservation to women in local bodies.

Meanwhile,the events that followed her interaction with the media seemed to fulfil the purpose of her visit which was to “review the performance of the Punjab state unit and see strength of its organisational structure”.

Soon after the press conference,Verma was treated to a full-blown clash between two rival groups fighting over the post of president of Ludhiana district unit. The heated exchange between the supporters of two woman leaders progressed rapidly from use of expletives to slapping and shoving,forcing Verma to leave in a huff.

Graceful ‘exit’ for Punjab Mahila Cong president on cards?

With Capt Amarinder Singh at the helm of affairs in the Punjab Congress,it may be farewell time for the president of state Mahila Congress,Ratna. A former chairman of the Amritsar Improvement Trust,Ratna had allegedly testified against Singh in a case probed by a committee of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha,which had led to his expulsion from the state assembly.

Newly-appointed All India Mahila Congress president Anita Verma said Ratna would have to justify whether she testified against Captain Amarinder. “A person can only be removed from a post if she has not been discharging her duties properly. I have not been asked to unseat Ratna. If at all anyone is removed,it would be done gracefully,” she said.

Ratna,who was also present,denied having testified against Singh. “I did not give any testimony (against Capt Amarinder) in the Amritsar Improvement Trust case. I have been loyal to the party. No one has sought my removal,” she said.