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.