BJP not competing with Congress: Shaina NC

Fashion designer-turned-politician Shaina NC is a part of BJP President Nitin Gadkari's national executive team. She speaks to MiD DAY about her role in the party and her party's role in Indian politics

How do you see your new role in the BJP?
This is the beauty of the BJP. Here your role is merit driven. You have to perform to get a bigger role. These are not the times when you can make it just by being the son or daughter of a certain person. But at the same time it is challenging also.

Being a young urban liberated woman, what are your views on the Women's Reservation Bill?
I am a staunch supporter of the Women's Bill. So far, politics has been male dominated in the country. The presence of Sonia Gandhi as Congress chief and Pratibha Patil as the president of the country is not enough. It is sheer tokenism. Once women are in power, they will prove themselves and achieve bigger roles.

With your national role now, will you be shifting from Mumbai to Delhi?
No, I will be staying in Mumbai and performing my role diligently from here only.

Who are the role models for you in the BJP and outside ?
There are so many --Narendra Modi, Arun Jaitely and Sushma Swaraj.u00a0... (pauses)... I think Narendra Modi has done a remarkable job in Gujarat in terms of development. But if you talk about recent times, Nitish Kumar has been impressive in Bihar.

A number of young leaders have been included in the BJP's new national team. Do you think this has been done to counter Rahul Gandhi and his youth brigade in the Congress?
We are not in competition with the Congress. It is merely a media hype. Every organisation has to have a proper representation of youth.

You were a successful designer. What made you join politics?
I was a student of political science and have been interested in politics ever since I was a kid. My family has been involved in social activities for long. But I have to become a politician with a difference. Not the stereotyped corrupt politician.