Patna: As the Bihar Assembly elections approach, political parties are placing increasing emphasis on women candidates, with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) appearing to lead in representation. Reports indicate that the five NDA constituent parties have collectively fielded 34 women, compared with 31 women candidates from the seven parties of the Grand Alliance.
Within the NDA, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) are contesting 101 seats each, with both parties nominating 13 women candidates. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), which is contesting 29 seats, has given tickets to five women. Jitan Ram Manjhi’s party, contesting six seats, has fielded two women, both related to the party leader and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. Upendra Kushwaha’s party is also contesting six seats, with one ticket given to his wife.
In comparison, the Grand Alliance, contesting 254 seats, has placed fewer women in the fray. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) initially nominated 24 women candidates, but after the cancellation of Shweta Suman’s nomination from Mohania, 23 women remain in the race. The Congress, contesting 61 seats, has fielded five women. The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) and the VIP and IIP have given tickets to one woman each, while the CPI and CPI(M) have not fielded any women candidates.
