Fading Naari Shakti: BJP's Decreasing Female Representation in UP Polls

The Congress party has declared 17 candidates for the state, but just one of them is a woman, suggesting that the party has abandoned the slogan "Mahila Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon." 

Prime Minister Modi poses with female lawmakers following the introduction of the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam'. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: In the latest Uttar Pradesh elections of 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fallen short of its pledge to enhance female representation in the Lok Sabha. Despite the enactment of a law by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration aimed at ensuring that 33% of directly elected members to Parliament and State Legislatures are women, the BJP has nominated fewer female candidates compared to the previous two elections in 2014 and 2019.

The Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill of 2023, dubbed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam by Modi, was introduced with the intention of appealing to female voters. This legislation also reserves one-third of the seats within the 33% quota for women belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. However, the enforcement of this law depends on the publication of a new census and subsequent delimitation processes, leading to uncertainty about its implementation timeline, with some experts suggesting it may not be feasible until the 2029 Lok Sabha election or later.

Although political parties like the BJP have no legal obligation to increase female representation, they could have used this election to demonstrate their commitment to promoting women's participation in public affairs. Despite Modi's rallies celebrating Nari Shakti and the BJP's portrayal of the law as a significant step towards women's empowerment, the party's actions have not aligned with its rhetoric.

In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP has nominated fewer women candidates compared to previous elections. Out of 79 candidates announced by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), only eight are women. This marks a decline from the 11 women candidates fielded by the BJP alliance in both 2014 and 2019. Moreover, the BJP replaced several incumbent female MPs with male candidates for the 2024 elections, resulting in a net decrease in female representation.

Conversely, the party's main rival, the Samajwadi Party (SP), has nominated more women candidates, with 10 out of their total nominations. Including the Congress' sole female candidate, the count reaches 11 within the broader INDIA bloc. The Congress, which championed the 'Mahila Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon' slogan during the 2022 UP Assembly elections with 40% female candidates, has significantly reduced its female representation. Out of 17 candidates declared by the party, only one is a woman.

Notably, many female candidates from both major blocs, NDA and INDIA, come from politically influential backgrounds or families, with several being spouses or daughters of current or former politicians.

In summary, despite the rhetoric surrounding women's empowerment, the representation of women in Uttar Pradesh's 2024 elections does not reflect the promised commitment to gender parity in politics.

Contrasting Visions: Rahul Gandhi's Promises and Narendra Modi's Deflections

Rahul Gandhi. Photo: X/@RahulGandhi

Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, made noteworthy promises and accusations during a rally in Khargaon, Madhya Pradesh. He declared that if the Congress party is elected to power in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, they will promptly waive off loans for farmers. Furthermore, Gandhi asserted that his party would eliminate the 50% cap on reservations, which are affirmative action measures aimed at providing opportunities to historically marginalized communities.

Watch the rally where Rahul Gandhi made key promises for farmers and reservations. https://x.com/INCIndia/status/1787421876056191223

During his address, Rahul Gandhi accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of intending to abolish reservations if they come to power. He claimed that BJP leaders have expressed their desire to dismantle the current reservation system, which benefits Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. In contrast, Gandhi promised that a Congress-led government would not only maintain existing reservations but also expand them beyond the current limit of 50%. He emphasized the importance of reservations in ensuring social justice and empowering disadvantaged sections of society.

Rahul Gandhi challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on key issues such as reservations, the Constitution, and welfare policies. He questioned Modi's stance on reservations for Adivasis (indigenous communities) and whether his government would increase the 50% cap on reservations. Gandhi framed these issues as central to the ongoing election, highlighting the Congress party's commitment to protecting the rights of the poor and marginalized.

In addition to addressing reservation policies, Gandhi outlined a series of welfare measures proposed by the Congress party. These include providing financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh to each family, offering Rs 1 lakh to youth for employment opportunities, waiving farmers' loans to alleviate agricultural distress, doubling the wages of ASHA and anganwadi workers, and increasing the minimum wage under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to Rs 400.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi, campaigning in Nabarangpur, Odisha, sought to deflect attention from allegations of corruption surrounding his government. Modi claimed that the people of Odisha had rejected both the Congress and the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in favor of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He touted his government's efforts to combat corruption, citing the implementation of initiatives like the Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar, and mobile connectivity to prevent the misappropriation of funds meant for the poor.

Modi's remarks come amidst scrutiny over the BJP's handling of electoral bonds, which have raised concerns about potential corruption within the party. Despite ongoing controversies, Modi reiterated his commitment to rooting out corruption and ensuring accountability within his administration.

In summary, Rahul Gandhi's speech in Khargaon underscored the Congress party's promises of economic relief for farmers, expansion of reservation policies, and overall welfare initiatives aimed at addressing social inequalities. In contrast, Narendra Modi sought to deflect criticism and emphasize his government's purported efforts to combat corruption and promote transparency. These contrasting narratives highlight the key themes and stakes involved in the ongoing electoral contest in India.