Read on Twitter
So many 
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đĄ" title="Elektrische GlĂŒhbirne" aria-label="Emoji: Elektrische GlĂŒhbirne"> moments listening to @srajagopalan & @RayProma chat about women in https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đźđł" title="Flagge von Indien" aria-label="Emoji: Flagge von Indien"> politics & the concept of political ascetism specifically focusing on Mamata Banerjee (so topical!). 1/n
The concept of âpolitical ascetismâ itself is fascinating â the desire to have a political leader be detached from worldly responsibilities such as family. Certainly follows from Gandhi + makes the principle of âBhaktiâ an imp aspect of Indian politics (which is dangerous) 2/n
Now this is in sharp contrast w the https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đșđž" title="Flagge der Vereinigten Staaten" aria-label="Emoji: Flagge der Vereinigten Staaten"> where it is important to come across as a family man during the presidential campaign & do interviews to signal marital harmony. The voter wants a relatable candidate. Interesting how the Indian voter doesnât exhibit that desire 3/n
Now how does this requirement of ascetism affect women? The expectation to be married to the party, and be a selfless âmotherâ or other familial figure to the constituency (state or country) could certainly be a barrier to entry â âyou canât have it allâ 4/n
But again if you do have a family gendered household roles must make it v hard for you to give everything to political life https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đ" title="EnttĂ€uschtes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: EnttĂ€uschtes Gesicht"> Iâm just surprised we donât want a leader who would relate to our everyday problems as mothers/fathers/husbands/wives etc. 5/n
My take is https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="đźđł" title="Flagge von Indien" aria-label="Emoji: Flagge von Indien"> electorate could do w/o the attachment to political ascetism. On Mamta itâs really striking that she took down a real political machine when she won against Somnath Chatterjee AND she didnât have a male political mentors unlike Mayawati or Jayalalitha 6/n
@RayProma âs research seems fascinating and so promising! Ty for introducing me to the framework of âpolitical ascetismâ â didnât know that this was the phrase I was looking for all along. Hereâs a link to the podcast episode. 7/n https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Mw5LvZZ2fGalN8IaLELj2?si=HM4RRFD4SD-a2dOBiXiwvg&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A6kK8CBITnvLtfIYbb8Y5O4">https://open.spotify.com/episode/7... 7/n
And hereâs a link to @RayProma âs paper n/n https://www.dropbox.com/s/fn42glitylb1ga8/Proma%20Ray%20Chaudhury_JMP%20%281%29.pdf?dl=0">https://www.dropbox.com/s/fn42gli...
