Congress Will Field 40 Percent Women In Upcoming UP Polls: Priyanka Gandhi

Congress women in UP polls: In a move for greater representation of women in politics, Priyanka Gandhi announced 40 percent reservations for women in Congress for the crucial Uttar Pradesh assembly elections to be held in 2022. Gandhi, the general secretary of the state's All India Congress Committee, said this decision was for the girls and women of UP.

"Women can bring about change and they need to step forward. This decision is for the girls of Uttar Pradesh... This decision is for women who want change," she said at a press conference Tuesday, declaring Congress' first pledge for the state polls.

The 49-year-old, in a tweet, dedicated the address to the female population in UP and the country.

Gandhi evoked several significant instances involving appeals for women's rights in recent cases in India: "This decision has been taken for the rape victim in Unnao who was burnt to death, for the victim in Hathras who did not get justice, for the girl I met in Lakhimpur Kheri who said she wanted to become the Prime Minister."

She added she wanted to reserve 50 percent candidate seats for women but following consultation from the party, settled at 40 percent. The present percentage would account for a pool of 160 tickets for women from Congress. Total assembly seats in UP are 403.

Congress Women In UP Polls To Face Up To Saffron Machismo?

In what will potentially be a fierce political battle between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress in UP, Gandhi's announcement of boosting reservation for women pits gender empowerment against caste politics that commands a stronghold in the state.

The state is currently led by Yogi Adityanath, whose remarks around women emancipation and rights have often come under fire. Last week, women on social media widely opposed his Navratri speech on how crime could be curbed by seeing women as manifestations of goddesses. More here.

Emphasising that women can counter the politics of religion, Gandhi in her press conference said party candidates' "competence" will decide the distribution of tickets for the UP polls. Applications will be collected from November 15.

Trending now:

&t=1179s