Patna: In Bihar, an impressive number of women are now joining politics which once was virtually a male-dominated world.

Experts say the 50 per cent reservation given to the women in the three-tier local bodies elections by the National Democratic Alliance government and the improvement in the law and order situation in the last few years have worked wonders, encouraging more and more women to join politics.

In the recently-held local bodies’ polls, quite a good number of women were elected as councillors, including a doctor, a law graduate, postgraduate and many graduates. This is in sharp contrast to the past when the muscle-flexing people would normally win the polls and then they were never to be seen in their areas until the next elections are announced but the new breed of elected representatives looks quite eager to contribute to city’s development.

One such elected councillor is Dr Anu Kumari, an MBBS who served as an intern at the prestigious Patna Medical College and Hospital. She has no remorse of quitting her medical profession and joining the social service.

“I loved the medical profession but the death of my mother-in-law forced me to take up the new responsibility and serve society,” said Dr Anu whose mother-in-law was a ward councillor.

Another elected councillor Prabha Devi is a postgraduate who earlier served as a government school principal before taking up the challenging assignments. “I had the burning desire to enter politics and serve the society. This is my first win and I will like to work for the girls’ education,” said Devi.

Abhalata, another councillor elected in this year’s election, is a law graduate but has preferred to enter politics, rather than practicing law. Is politics more profitable job? “No, I want to serve our neighbours.

For the past three years, I had been constantly fighting for ensuring proper water supply in my area and other civic problems which earned me the support of the masses. How can I forget them?” she said.

Similarly, another councillor Pramila Devi is a history graduate though her family has political background. “Although I would have loved pursuing higher studies but my desire to work for the people brought me into politics midway,” she said.

The change, though, is not all of a sudden but has been a result of constant efforts made by the NDA government in Bihar headed by chief minister Nitish Kumar.

One of the factors driving the females into politics in hordes is the NDA government’s move to grant 50 per cent reservation to women in local bodies’ elections in 2006. Initially, women mainly from the political families had jumped into elections but now even common women totally divorced from politics are joining the field.

Yet another factor which has encouraged the female try luck outside their family cores is the improvement in the law and order situation in Bihar. Previously, as is the common refrain, the female class were quite shaky about their future as the crime was quite common on the streets but now that the situation has changed, women folk have come out of their homes looking for different jobs.