Rajasthan polls: Women's share in poll pie grows... marginally

While there has been a call for increased participation of women in elections, some 166 women candidates stand in the fray — a meagre increase of 12 candidates from the 2008 tally.

Data released by Election Department (ED) reveals that the total number of candidates fielded by parties this year is 2,096, which means only 7.9% of the total figure is represented by women.

Among the major political parties, Congress and BJP have fielded 23 and 26 women candidates, respectively, 9 women candidates are contesting with BSP’s backing, while rest are from other parties or are standing as independents.

Interestingly, a mother-daughter duo, that of Vimla Jindal and Kamini Jindal, are in the fray together.

The marginal increase in the number of women fielded by political parties speaks volumes about their inclination to empower women.

Political parties have considered “winability” before distributing tickets. And thus, there is an increase in the number of women relatives of established political leaders getting tickets. These include candidates like Amri Devi, wife of Late Congress leader Ram Singh Vishnoi, Rekha Kataria, sister-in-law of Union minister Lal Chand Kataria and BJP’s Alka Singh, wife of BJP leader Nathu Singh Gurjar.

When mediapersons questioned BJP leader and star campaigner Hema Malini why the party had only fielded 26 women candidates, all she could muster was, “those who were eligibility have been given tickets”.

Vasundhara Raje
Jhalrapatan
Has been elected from here for three terms: In 1985-89, 2003-2008, and 2008 till now.

Kiran Maheshwari
Rajsamand
Maheshwari beat Hari Singh Rathore in 2008 and got elected for the first time. This time, she is again fighting from Rajsamand.

Diya Kumari
Sawai Madhopur
She joined BJP on Sept 11 and will be fighting her first elections.

Bina Kak 
Sumerpur Pali
A minister in the outgoing government, she has been an MLA in 1985-1989, 1993-1998, 1998-2003 and 2008 till now.

Mamta Sharma    
Bundi
Ex-State Mahila Congress chief and chairperson of NWC, she will be fighting elections from Bundi.

Pratibha Singh       
Nawalgarh
Veteran Congress leader  is fighting 13th Assembly elections.