New Delhi: It has been recording its strong presence in Indian history for centuries. Even after independence, in the midst of all the adversity, our women power has not only been successful in making a special place for itself, but has also been successful in making it iron. The political field is no different.
As India celebrates the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Independence, in this report we will talk about the stalwart women leaders who have left an indelible mark in Indian politics.
Indira Gandhi
Whenever there is talk of strong women leaders in independent India, Indira Gandhi’s name will be kept at the top. Indira, the daughter of the country’s first prime minister, Nehru, was elected as the third prime minister of India in 1966. She was the first and only woman Prime Minister of India till date. She served as prime minister from January 1966 to March 1977 and again from January 1980 until her assassination in October 1984, making her the second longest-serving Indian prime minister after her father.
2. Sonia Gandhi
Sonia Gandhi, daughter-in-law of the Gandhi family and wife of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, is the current interim president of the Indian National Congress, the country’s largest opposition party. Sonia Gandhi holds the record for being the longest-serving president of the Congress party. She is also the chairperson of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
3- Sushma Swaraj
Whenever it comes to the participation of women in Indian politics, the name of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be taken with respect. She was the Union Foreign Minister of India in the first Narendra Modi cabinet. She became a prominent and famous politician after helping many Indians stranded in other countries. Swaraj also became one of the prominent faces of the Modi government. Seven-time Member of Parliament and three-time Member of Legislative Assembly, Sushma Swaraj, BJP leader, is now India’s Union Minister for External Affairs. She was the second woman after Indira Gandhi to hold this position. He passed away on 6 August 2019.
4- Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee became the first woman chief minister of the state after the 34-year-old Left government was overthrown in the state. She started her party Trinamool Congress in 1997 and became one of the major players in Indian politics. West Bengal’s first woman chief minister Mamata Banerjee, popularly known as Mamata didi, dethroned the 34-year-old Left Front government in the state. She was also the country’s first woman railway minister. In 1997, he started the Trinamool Congress, an anti-Left party to consolidate his position in West Bengal.
5- Jayalalithaa
Jayalalithaa is one of the most famous Indian politicians of all time. After being a successful actress, Jayalalithaa began her political career and remained the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for more than fourteen years between 1991 and 2016. Jayalalithaa also took over the reins of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party for a long time. He passed away on 5 December 2018.
6- Mayawati
Mayawati is the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and one of the most powerful Dalit leaders of India. He led several development projects in Uttar Pradesh during his tenure and is currently one of the prominent opposition leaders of the state. She was the Chief Minister of UP for some time in 1995 and again in 1997, again from 2002 to 2003 and from 2007 to 2012.
7- Vasundhara Raje Scindia
Vasundhara Raje Scindia, the first woman Chief Minister of Rajasthan, is one of the most powerful women politicians in India. Vasundhara Raje was brought into active politics by her mother Vijayraje Scindia, who was a prominent BJP leader. Vasundhara was elected to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in 1985. She has been the Chief Minister of Rajasthan twice in 2003 and 2013.
