Once the Women’s Reservation Bill takes effect, the Maharashtra State Legislative Assembly will see a significant increase in its female representation, with 95 women legislators out of the total 288 members. Currently, there are only 24 women MLAs in the Assembly.
Among the political parties, the BJP leads with the highest number of women legislators. Following the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP, with 105 MLAs, initially had 12 women legislators, which later reduced to 11 after the unfortunate passing of Mukta Tilak (Kasbapeth) last year. The Congress holds the second-highest number of female MLAs, with five out of 44.
The NCP, with 54 MLAs, has three women members, while the Shiv Sena’s Shinde faction, comprising 40 MLAs, has two women legislators. The Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray-led faction has only one woman MLA among its 16 legislators. Additionally, there are two women independents.
The proposed 33 percent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies has received unanimous support from all parties, transcending ideological differences. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised this move as a significant step toward women’s empowerment and women’s representation in politics.
Maharashtra’s Leader of Opposition, Vijay Waddetiwar, welcomed the decision, emphasizing the Congress party’s commitment to increased female representation. He highlighted the Congress’s historic role in elevating women to leadership positions.
While women’s voter turnout has surged over the past few decades, leading to greater political awareness and participation, the representation of women in the state cabinet remains low. Currently, Aditi Tatkare is the sole woman minister in the Eknath Shinde government, which comprises 27 ministers out of a permissible total of 43, including the Chief Minister.
In July 2023, when the NCP faction under Ajit Pawar joined the government led by the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), 36 out of 54 NCP MLAs switched to the rebel group, leading to Aditi Tatkare, NCP MLA from Shrivardhan, securing a Cabinet position. Both the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) have pledged to include more women ministers in the next cabinet expansion.