At 42, most women in Karnataka fray since 1996

This year, at 42, Karnataka has the highest number of women candidates in the Lok Sabha election fray in nearly three decades, but whether this will result in more women MPs will only be known on June 4.
The last time Karnataka had more than 42 women candidates was in 1996, when 71 were in the fray. Only one emerged victorious. This time, despite the increase in the number of women, they account only for 8.8% of the total number (474) of candidates.

Given that independents or those from smaller parties seldom win LS polls, all eyes will be on candidates from Congress and BJP.Only eight or 19% — six from Congress, two from BJP — are from the two major parties. Of these, six are from North Karnataka which facies elections Tuesday. The other two are BJP’s Shobha Karandlaje (Bangalore North) and Congress’ Sowmya Reddy (Bangalore South)
Among major states, Karnataka has the dubious dis tinction of giving women the least chance of winning. Analysis of data from 1996 shows only 5% get elected. This year, at least one woman from the state will enter Parliament since both national parties have fielded a woman in Davanagere. BJP has fielded Gayathri Siddeshwar and Con gress, Prabha Mallikarjun.
The other 34 women in the fray are mostly independents or from smaller parties. Of these, the fortunes of 15 will be sealed on Tuesday.
Between 1996 and 2019, Karnataka saw 168 women contesting but only nine won while 142 lost deposits. Seventeen others lost but retained their deposit. That means, 5% of them won, while more than 84% forfeited deposits.

Reflects national trend
Thenational average is alsounderwhelming. Even statesknown for their matrilinealcultures such as Kerala andManipur have performed nobetter than the rest of thecountry. Overall, of the 3,462women who contested the pastseven Lok Sabha elections,only 376 or 11% won.
In 2019, Karnataka had sent two women MPs to Parliament — BJP’s Shobha Karandlaje from Udupi-Chikmagalur and Sumalatha, an independent from Mandya.
Women functionaries across parties and experts that TOI spoke with attribute the dismal performance of to a lack of support from political parties and deeply entrenched societal biases against women in leadership roles.