Lone woman MLA of Sena, Trupti Sawant readies herself for a political career

With Trupti Sawant, 34, winning the assembly bypolls on Wednesday, the Shiv Sena has finally got its woman MLA in the current legislative assembly. Until now, the party lacked representation of women in the Lower House where it has 62 members. However, this makes Sawant's job a little more challenging as a legislator.

After winning the contest, which was more important for her party and its chief than for her own political career, Sawant, mother of an 11-year-old girl, Yajya, is now readying herself for a new phase of life. "I have to face two challenges now, one at home and the other with this responsibility," she said.

But she is determined to complete the works initiated by her husband Prakash (Bala) Sawant. "I have to complete his work. That will be the real tribute to him," added the commerce graduate from Chetna College.

The Sawants' was a love marriage, with Prakash 30 years her senior. Trupti appears to be a confident working woman but may require some time to get into public life, believe observers.

Until now, she has hardly spoken publicly. She has avoided media glare too, apparently on the direction of the top brass of the party. Even in Wednesday's press conference organised at Matoshree after declaration of results, seated next to Uddhav Thackeray, she didn't utter a word.

While Congress leaders attribute her silence to naivete and inexperience, Sena leaders defend her, saying she's still mourning her husband's death.

Nevertheless, people know very little about her. Her affidavit submitted to the Election Commission states that she runs her own advertising business. However, even her party leaders are unaware about it, or claimed to be ignorant.

When asked about Sawant's business, MLC and Sena leader Anil Parab, who has been managing her election campaign, said, "I don't know much about it." Voters living close to her house refer to her as Bala's second wife.

When will she start working and will the party provide any training to her? "She will do it soon but let her come to terms first. The party will extend all support to her so that she can fulfil people's expectations. She will be trained on the job," said Parab.

Maha assembly to have 22 women MLAs now

With the win of NCP's Suman Patil and Sena's Trupti Sawant, the number of women in the 288-member assembly has reached 22. This is the highest ever since 1962 when first assembly elections for the state were held. The BJP leads the pack with 12 women members, followed by the Congress, whose five women candidates got elected. The NCP now has four and Sena one.