Guwahati- As the nation celebrates Mother's Day, with social media flooded with heartfelt selfies and celebration pictures, there's a poignant reflection on the profound sacrifices mothers make.
Amidst this, The Mooknayak delves deeper, uncovering a lesser-known narrative: how mothers are toiling on the ground, dedicating themselves to their sons' and daughters' electoral campaigns for the Lok Sabha Elections.
Behind the scenes, amidst the hustle and bustle of campaigns and rallies, lie moments of tenderness and connection. These moments are a reminder that beyond the political arena, politicians are also sons, daughters, husbands, wives, and parents, with relationships and bonds that shape their lives and decisions.
A vivid example of it can be Sonia Gandhi, the former president of Indian National Congress, campaigning for her son Rahul Gandhi who is contesting from Raebareli seat. The leader has taken over an active role in poll campaigns in northern India.
In Rajasthan, where polls concluded in two phases on April 19 and 26 respectively, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and his wife Sunita Gehlot left no stone unturned for the victory of their son Vaibhav Gehlot, who is fighting from the Jalore-Sirohi Lok Sabha constituency.
Party leaders from the two districts of Jalore and Sirohi, including former cabinet ministers, Ashok Gehlot's confidantes, and members of his family, joined him in extensively campaigning for Vaibhav Gehlot.
Rajasthan’s former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, one of BJP's prominent leaders, chose to concentrate her campaign efforts exclusively on her son Dushyant Singh's constituency.
Despite being listed as a star campaigner for the BJP, Raje focused solely on the Jhalawar-Baran constituency, where her son is contesting his fifth consecutive election.
Jhalawar has historically been a stronghold for both Raje and the BJP, with Dushyant consistently securing victory by widening margins in each successive election.
When one moves to northeast, they will get to hear about a more sentimental story. In a touching tale of compassion and support, Sumitra, the mother of late Assam Police sub-inspector Junmoni Rabha, had been actively campaigning for Mira Borthakur Goswami, the Congress candidate for the prestigious Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency.
Following the tragic loss of her daughter Junmoni in a mysterious road accident last year, Sumitra found solace in Mira's unwavering emotional support during her darkest moments. Mira's consistent visits and heartfelt conversations provided Sumitra with the strength to navigate her grief and face life's challenges.
Touched by Mira's compassion and care, Sumitra now passionately advocates for Mira's candidacy, urging others to extend their support to the candidate who stood by her side when she needed it most.
Even in cases where mothers are not alive, candidates are reaching out to voters with a sense of deep connection and commitment. In the nation’s capital, a story unfolds along similar lines as Bansuri Swaraj embarks on her debut electoral campaign as the BJP's candidate for the New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency.
In recent campaign events, Bansuri Swaraj has made heartfelt pledges to uphold the values and principles instilled by her late mother, Sushma Swaraj. With each speech, Bansuri ensures to honor her mother's legacy, acknowledging the profound affection people continue to hold for her.
Expressing gratitude for the enduring love and blessings bestowed upon her, Bansuri reflects on her mother's compassionate nature, recalling her dedication to serving Indians both at home and abroad.
Despite no longer holding a governmental position in 2019, Sushma Swaraj's commitment to compassion remained steadfast, a trait Bansuri proudly embraces and seeks to embody in her own political journey.
In states like Haryana, where historically there has been a skewed sex ratio, the dynamics of family involvement in politics are intriguing.
Naina Chautala, a pioneering female member of the Chautala family to enter politics, is actively supporting her sons, Dushyant Chautala and Digvijay Chautala, as they vie for electoral victory in Hisar and Sonepat, respectively. Departing from the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) due to internal family conflicts, they established the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP).
Similarly, as a Congress MLA from Hansi, Renuka Bishnoi navigates a predominantly male-dominated arena with multiple roles: the daughter-in-law of former chief minister Bhajan Lal, the wife of three-time legislator Kuldeep Bishnoi, and the mother of Bhavya Bishnoi, who embarks on his political journey as the Congress' Lok Sabha candidate from Hisar.
"I don't merely accompany him for canvassing," Renuka Bishnoi shared with PTI. "I engage with constituents independently, striving to cover as much ground as possible. This enables me to connect directly with women voters, encouraging them to make informed decisions."
You can also join our WhatsApp group to get premium and selected news of The Mooknayak on WhatsApp. Click here to join the WhatsApp group.