Women under her wing

Having bagged a brand new role in politics, Smriti Zubin Irani has reportedly bid adieu to the medium that made her a household name. No more will televi­sion’s best loved bahu (daughter-in-law) grace the small screen. The 34-year-old will focus all her energies on heading the women’s wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which she joined in 2003, notes a report in Mid Day of June 17, 2010.

Irani was star campaigner for the BJP during the 2004 general elections. She also contested parliamentary polls against Congress candidate Kapil Sibal from the Chandni Chowk constituency in Delhi. Despite drawing huge crowds while canvassing, she lost the election, Mid Day reports. But she has now caught the attention of the BJP high command, Daily News and Analysis (DNA) wrote in its edition of June 16. Though deprived of a Rajya Sabha nomination, she now heads Mahila Morcha, the women’s wing. Her status in the Party will be further enhanced since she now automatically becomes member of the BJP’s Central Election Committee which was reconstituted on June 15.

Irani’s appointment has further significance. The BJP, which was a strong votary of the Women’s Reservation Bill, has been facing flak for not nominating any of its prominent women members, including actress Hema Malini and former Congresswoman Najma Heptullah, for the ongoing Rajya Sabha elections, DNA adds.