Lok Sabha elections 2019: Transgender candidates vow to clean corruption | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Lok Sabha elections 2019: Transgender candidates vow to clean corruption

Lucknow/Prayagraj/Gorakhpur | ByAnupam Srivastava, Rajesh Srivastava, Abdul Jadid
May 03, 2019 09:57 AM IST

Uttar Pradesh has 8,374 registered transgender voters. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the total number of “third gender” voters is 41,292, a rise of about 45% from the figures of 2014, when the Election Commission first started the category.

Though two transgender persons are standing for ongoing general elections, from Kushinagar and Allahabad (renamed Prayagraj) constituencies, Lucknow resident and transwoman Payal Kinnar (41), who runs a gym in her colony, feels that the community needs more than candidates standing for elections. It requires favourable political will.

Prayagraj: Aam Aadmi Party candidate 'Kinnar Akhada' Mahamandaleshwar Bhawani Nath Valmiki, also known as Bhavani Maa, after a press conference, in Prayagraj (Allahabad).(PTI)
Prayagraj: Aam Aadmi Party candidate 'Kinnar Akhada' Mahamandaleshwar Bhawani Nath Valmiki, also known as Bhavani Maa, after a press conference, in Prayagraj (Allahabad).(PTI)

Contesting Allahabad parliamentary seat is Bhawani Nath Valmiki or Bhawani Maa, who will take on Rita Bahuguna Joshi of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Rajendra Pratap Singh of Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance, on May 12, as the Aam Admi Party’s candidate. In Kushinagar, Guddi Kinnar will contest as an independent against former Union minister from Congress RPN Singh and Vijay Dubey of the BJP. The seat goes to polls on May 19.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“The community (faces immense) social stigma, struggling to get even basic facilities like medical treatment and benefit of government schemes.” “[We are] a miniscule minority,” she said, which may be one of the reasons for the disinterest shown by politicians, towards them.

Uttar Pradesh has 8,374 registered transgender voters. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the total number of “third gender” voters is 41,292, a rise of about 45% from the figures of 2014, when the Election Commission first started the category.

“There has been no campaign by the district administration to reach out to us. We remain an isolated fraternity,” Payal said.

Joint chief electoral officer Alka Varma said, “It is not true that we are not doing anything to create awareness among transgenders. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has roped in transgender model Bishesh Huirem to generate awareness. Huirem is the one who represented India at the Miss International Queen in Thailand in 2016.”

“Meeting people personally develops a strong bond which I feel is essential to understand the needs of the people and allow them to assess you,” said Bhawani (46), the mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhada (a monastic order). In Kushinagar, Guddi Kinnar (48) is confident of her victory as she claims to be contesting polls on the development plank. “There is a lot of poverty in our region and that is evident from Musahar community...”

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On