Illiterate Golma Devi Becomes Minister in Rajasthan:India

"It took three days to teach her how to sign," says Kirorilal Meena about his wife Golma Devi. But the fact that the woman had to

practice putting her signature on her oath letter hasn't come in the way of her becoming a minister in Ashok Gehlot's congressgovernment, thanks to caste politics of please and appease.

Golma Devi had to be accommodated because she's the wife of a dissident BJP leader who'll bring with her the clout of the powerful Meena community, which dominates Rajasthan's bureaucracy. The woman, elected from Mahuwa constituency as an independent, could barely read her oath card at the swearing-in ceremony on Friday. The 59-year-old homemaker was prompted along by another state minister Ram Kishore Saini.

When Governor S K Singh said "Mein", Golma just uttered, "Mein Golma bol rahi hoon (I am Golma speaking)." Her oath was considered 'read' along with Saini.

Gehlot, who heads a state which has just shed its 'Bimaru' tag and sees itself in the forefront of attracting investments and modernizing, defended inducting an unlettered and inexperienced minister. "Uneducated MLAs should also be given a chance to prove their mettle... Golma will use her common sense as a woman and work for the welfare of the state."

He said it was the power of democracy that catapulted such people to top political echelons, drawing a comparison between Golma and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, wife of railway minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad.

Her husband Kirorilal Meena, on the other hand, was happy doing a Lalu in Rajasthan by recommending his wife Golma for minister's job. "Even during my wedding, I was not as happy as I am today," he said.

Meena claimed his wife was capable of delivering her duties, albeit with a little help from babus. "I expect that the chief minister will appoint some able officers to assist her and he himself would help her in discharging her official responsibility," he said. Asked what his role would be, the former minister said, "Now I have to play the role of 'MP' (minister’s pati) as I have to take care of household chores since Golma will be working as a minister." Golma said her husband knew how to make 'gajar mattar' and 'dal baati'.