But the political equations in her area, Shettyhalli, changed so dramatically in the last one year, that she is now catapulted into a position of handling the responsibility of running the administration of an ever-growing City.
Wife of Ramanjaneya, a BJP worker, Sharadamma was elected the mayor of Bangalore on Friday. She will take charge of the Council on Saturday.
Will Sharadamma live up to the aspirations of Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India?
Deccan Herald spoke to the 45-year-old mayor on her dreams and visions for Bangalore and the interaction showed her sanguine side. Excerpts:
For a conservative woman like you, how is the experience of becoming a mayor?
It’s a pleasant moment. Everybody in my family is happy. It’s a major responsibility bestowed on me and I will give whatever best I can.
There are many problems dogging the City such as garbage, stray dog menace, polluted lakes, water crisis and flooding during rains. What plans do you have to address them?
I have just taken over as the new mayor. The problems you have counted warrant a detailed discussion.
Anything said about the problems without going into their depth would prove to be shallow. One thing I am pretty sure about is that every problem has a solution and we will find solutions to all problems.
Many people in the past have dreamed of turning Bangalore into a Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, London and what not. What would you like Bangalore to be?
I want Bangalore to be Bangalore. It has its own identity, which should not be distorted.
We have many instances where husbands of the elected representatives run the show.
How will you keep away the pressures from your family?
There will be no pressure on me from any of my family members. I will shoulder the entire responsibility and will not yield to any pressure.
Being a woman mayor from the Dalit community, what are your plans for Dalit women in the City?
My vision will not be restricted to Dalit women alone. There are women from all communities who need assistance for empowerment. I will help all of them.
How will you achieve your target when many welfare schemes for women, such as distribution of sewing machines, have not been executed?
Sewing machines will be distributed shortly. I will personally look into the implementation of schemes meant for women.