Maharashtra assembly elections: A long march for women candidates

MUMBAI: The percentage of women candidates in the state assembly elections has stubbornly stayed in single digits over the years, but has been inching up in the last four polls. This year, of the 3,237 candidates in the fray, 235 or 7.3% are women candidates.
This is the highest percentage ever, and there is at least one woman candidate in 152 of the 288 assembly constituencies.Six constituencies boast of as many as four women candidates each — the highest — in the state.
The state has reserved 50% seats in local bodies for women, but this reservation does not apply to assembly elections.


In 1972, there was not a single woman MLA in Maharashtra. Of the 56 women who contested, not one won. The situation is changing, but women leaders in parties who demand increased representation often find that besides patriarchal notions, the issue of winnability is a hurdle. “Gender bias is still rooted in the system. A large number of women nominees who have been given tickets this time are from political families. Very few local women get a ticket,” said a woman politician from BJP. She added that parties talk about winnability, but how can women prove their draw if they don’t get to contest.
The lack of women candidates sticks out as over the years, the number of women candidates has been going up; women's voting percentage too is on upswing. Of the 8.97 crore voters in the state, almost half (4.38 crore) are women.
“It is sad there are so few women candidates for a voter base that is almost as numerous as men. Women’s representation is required for raising women-related issues, which don’t happen a lot,” said Parineeta Patil, an activist.
A senior woman politician said a large number of women voters in rural areas do not vote on their own and are generally influenced by the husband or father. “Till the time women make their own choice and demand better representation, things will not change,” she said.