The share of women contestants in assembly polls is yet to touch 10% in Maharashtra even though this time it was the highest it’s ever been. While 24 women had made it to the assembly in 2019, this time their number came down to 22.
More women contested in 2024
The share of women in poll fray and the legislature has historically been low in Maharashtra — in fact, in 1972, there was no woman MLA in the assembly — but their representation has improved of late.
But state has a long way to go…
Since 1992, Delhi has had three women in the CM’s seat and most major states can boast of having had at least one woman CM. But Maharashtra remains a notable exception.
Lok Sabha record a little better
A higher proportion of women from the state have made it to Lok Sabha of late than to their own legislature, though that share dipped in 2024.
