Sarita Arya’s appointment ‘strikes balance’ in party unit

DEHRADUN: With an eye on the 2017 Uttarakhand assembly election, Congress has named Sarita Arya — MLA from the reserved seat of Naintal — as the new chief of the women’s wing of the party. The move to elevate Arya, a prominent Dalit leader, is being viewed as Congress’ attempt to strike a balance among all sections that make up its vote bank.
So far, two important posts in the state are held by a Brahmin — state Congress chief Kishore Updhyay— and a Thakur — chief minister Harish Rawat.
Arya has become the state’s first sitting MLA to hold the key post in the party. Since Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh, Arya became the fourth president of the Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee after Shanti Junwantha, Manorama Sharma Dobriyal and Sarojini Kaintura. The Nainital MLA is also a parliamentary secretary and was given the key post as it fell vacant with Kaintura being named chairperson of the state women commission.
Congress sources also said that Arya’s appointment has struck a regional balance. While Congress state chief Upadhyay is from Garhwal, Arya represents the Kumaon region. Prior to the Nainital MLA’s elevation, the state Congress’ prominent Dalit face was state minister Yashpal Arya, who held the party’s chief’s post before Upadhyay.
“Her (Arya’s) appointment is perfect as it strikes a balance in the representation of the state’s different regions and castes,” a source said.
The new chief of the Mahila Congress, Arya, told TOI: “My priority will be to strengthen the women’s wing and raise gender related issues.” Arya, said to be close to minister Indira Hiraydesh, claimed that she would take up women’s issues after she visits Dehradun on May 17 to meet with senior state leaders. Arya had won her first assembly election from the reserved seat in 2012.
State Congress chief Upadhyay called it a positive move that would benefit the party in its preparations for the 2017 elections. “She is a dedicated party member and we will extend all possible help to her,” he added.