New Delhi: Seven more women members, including Meenakashi Lekhi, Shobha Karandlaje and Anupriya Singh Patel, joined the council of ministers of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, taking the overall female strength to 11, one of the highest. Among the new ministers, Karandlaje represents Udupi-Chikmagaluru Lok Sabha Constituency as an MP and has a fiery reputation for defending the party across several issues.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Karandlaje said it's a matter of pride that Prime Minister Narendra Modi focuses on women empowerment and is working towards eliminating gender inequalities in politics by reserving berths for women. "The number of women in politics is increasing at the grassroots level and the same should happen at the Central and state levels. This will help the government to address the issues surrounding women efficiently," she said. If asked whether the government will press for the women's reservation bill, Karandlaje said it will be a collective decision and that the BJP has always been in support of the bill.
READ: PM Modi inducts 7 new women ministers in the cabinet
Further speaking about women ministers, she said it is only in the BJP government that women get to important ministers such as finance and external affairs. She also said that not only women were given key positions but many laws were also introduced for the betterment and safety of women. When asked about her focus area she is given a portfolio, Karandlaje said her main focus will be the overall development of the nation irrespective of the fact that she hails from a southern state. "Although I hail from a southern state, I will focus on the development of India as a whole. I will also work towards strengthening the party folds in the south," she said.
