Woman councillors ready for plunge

But as uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, the moment of glory could be shortlived, for soon she will have to face problems faced by the city including bad roads, poor storm water drain and drainage facilities among others.

However, taking a leaf from the past performance of their male counterparts and learning from their mistakes, could definitely help.

Though there are several contenders for the coveted post, the prominent names doing rounds are those of Bharati Vyas, Dr Jigeesha Sheth, Alka Bakshi, Dipika Thakkar, Virbala Soni and Kiranmai Mehta.

Interestingly, it remains to be seen how the Mayor tackles her male colleagues, who have usually dominated the woman workers in the party meetings. Except Vyas and Dr Sheth, few have been able to raise issues in the General Board meetings.

While Vyas and Sheth have been BJP supporters since long, Bakshi’s father is a senior RSS man and Thakkar is daughter-in-law of Keshubhai Thakkar, national vice-president of Bharatiya Majdoor Sangh (BMS). Mehta, advocate, and Soni, a master’s in social work are comparatively new entrants.

However, all have at some time or other been on decision-making bodies, the Standing Committee and other committees. Vyas, MS (Computer) from Chicago, USA, headed the water works committee for two years and Dr Sheth headed the health committee for the same period. Thakkar served as the chairperson of the cultural committee, while Mehta and Soni are chairpersons of the legal and town planning committees respectively.

As senior VMC officers point out, Vyas and Dr Sheth cannot be taken for granted for they keep themselves updated on all issues.

Senior partymen claim that Vyas’s efforts have led to the VMC approving a filtration plant at Nimeta and one jack well at Mahisagar. Dr Sheth was instrumental in improving the crematoria and start night cleaning in some parts of the city.

Vyas refuses to speak much at this juncture, but promises to “change the face of the city.” Dr Sheth wants the city roads to be clean by effective supervision and introduce accountability.

Bakshi expresses concern over the condition of storm water drains and drainages and says she will improve the entire network through co-ordination.

Though none are ready to comment on the past performance of Mayors, Dr Sheth and Bakshi observe, “Desired results can be achieved, with proper co-ordination with the administrative wing.”

And with only three days to go for the D-Day, only time will tell who makes it to the post and delivers the goods.