Only three women candidates fielded by major parties in Jharkhand

Ranchi: The ruling NDA and the mahagathbandhan parties have declared all their candidates for the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state. But in spite of the ideological and political differences between the two camps, what stands out is that both the rival alliances have ignored women while handing out tickets. The two national parties, BJP and Congress, have each fielded a woman candidate, whereas regional parties in their respective camps have not nominated a woman on any of the seats.
The BJP, which is contesting 13 seats out of 14, has named former RJD state president Annapurna Devi for Koderma seat. Congress, which has fielded candidates in seven seats under mahagathbandhan fold, has named Geeta Koda for Singhbhum seat.

The CPI(ML) has fielded Sushma Mehta in Palamu.

BJP ally Ajsu-P, which is fighting in Giridih, has fielded state drinking water and sanitation minister Chandra Prakash Choudhary. JVM-P, which is fighting in Koderma and Godda, has named its president Babulal Marandi and Poreiyahat MLA Pradeep Yadav as candidates. Like them even JMM, which is fighting in four seats, have fielded all male candidates.

When asked why they did not field any woman candidate in Jharkhand, JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya said, “We have very few seats in our kitty. Moreover, candidates were nominated based on several factors, including previous performances.” He added, “Our only candidate in Odisha is a woman. We had fielded 12 women candidates in 2014 Jharkhand assembly polls and this year’s assembly polls will see a greater participation of women.”