Women forced to take backseat

Women leaders sidelined in political participation despite focus on female-centric issues; minimal representation across alliances

- Rohit Chandavarkar

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and both Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar may have undertaken a high-pitch media and social media campaign to publicise their Mukhyamantri Lakdi Bahin Yojana of direct benefit transfer to the women from weaker economic sections, but when it comes to constituting their poll strategy teams or participation in poll process, women have hardly any presence in their political organisations.

Despite the entire focus of the poll campaign being around women's issues, women leaders have been pushed to the back seat in these assembly polls.