Chandigarh, May 18 -- In the seven women-reserved wards of the Panchkula Municipal Corporation, male relatives or political colleagues of the candidates appeared to play a dominant role, overseeing campaign activities and responding to congratulatory messages from supporters and queries from mediapersons after registering victory.

The women quota is meant to increase the role of women in the electoral process to empower them, but the reserved wards saw male leaders calling the shots and stealing the limelight. Out of the seven wards - 1, 2, 11, 15, 16, 18 and 19, four seats had candidates whose kin were former councillors. Wards 1, 2, 11 and 15 were for the general category while ward 16 was reserved for women from scheduled castes, and ...