Maharashtra fields much fewer women candidates this time

MUMBAI: Political parties mouthed platitudes on women empowerment and took up the issue of their security in manifestos, but when it came to fielding candidates, they shied away. Maharashtra shows an abysmal low percentage of women representation in electoral politics this year.
A comparative analysis of gender representation in 2009 shows that the number of women fielded by mainstream parties was woefully inadequate this year.It has shown a decline in the state from 10 candidates out of 101 (9.9%) in 2009 to eight out of 101 (7.9%) in 2014.
The Shiv Sena and Congress have only 5% and 4% representation, NCP 15% and BJP has shown a jump from 4% in 2009 to 13% in 2014. MNS, which had once boasted of fielding 36% candidates in 2009, does not have a woman this year.
Commenting on the change in party attitude, BJP state unit spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said theirs was the only party to ensure 33% reservation of women for office-bearers from grass-root local committees to the highest parliamentary board.
“In our National Democratic Alliance regime, we included 50% reservation for women in local self-government. We are sincerely trying to build women leadership at every level,” said Bhandari.
Neelam Gorhe, spokesperson and deputy leader, Shiv Sena, said in every zilla, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had conducted over 100 meetings urging women to come forward. “But there were not many contenders. They do not aspire to go to Parliament, they are more interested in the Vidhan Sabha or the mayoral level,” said Gorhe.
Congress state unit spokesperson Sachin Sawant said as per vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s directive, the party will see greater participation of women in the organizational and electoral process.
Maharashtra Election Watch state coordinator Sharad Kumar said most elected representatives either end up nominating their wives or relatives as dummy candidates for council elections.
“There is no mandatory clause to reserve seats for women still. That is why the percentage is low. The women’s reservation bill, which mandates 33% reservation, is still not in force. It will not empower them as they will be used as stooges,” said Kumar.
When it came to Maharashtra’s average party assets, it has seen a sharp rise, compared to 2009. The figures were declared in affidavits submitted by candidates and analyzed by the Association of Democratic Reforms NGO.
The Congress has seen a jump from Rs 7 crore in 2009 to Rs 19 crore in 2014; BJP from Rs 4 crore to Rs 15 crore; and NCP from Rs 13 crore to Rs 32 crore.
But NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto attributed it to growth in individual businesses. Bhandari said the rise in average assets was a reflection of the value of the rupee.