Decoding Maharashtra Politics: Is Maharashtra Ready For Its First Woman Chief Minister?
September 21,2024The recent statement by Varsha Gaikwad, Mumbai Congress President, and MP that she "will be very happy if Maharashtra gets its first woman Chief Minister" had sparked the debate over whether Maharashtra could soon have its first woman Chief Minister. It has been gaining traction, both on social media and in the political corridors of the state.
She further added, "Maharashtra is a state that gives opportunities to women. Maharashtra was the first to pass the reservation bill giving representation to women. So, I would like to see a woman become the Chief Minister after the election"
Several prominent female leaders from various political parties have voiced their opinion that it’s time for a woman to lead Maharashtra. This sentiment, coupled with recent surveys, suggests that the idea of a female Chief Minister is resonating with the electorate. Moreover, Varsha Gaikwad also pointed out that Supriya Sule from NCP and Rashmi Thackeray from Shiv Sena UBT are contenders for the post of Chief Minister.
Many voters have expressed a preference for a woman to take on the top job this time. This growing demand for female leadership could lead to an increase in the number of tickets allotted to women candidates across the political spectrum. As per sources within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) their internal survey had revealed favourable response for the Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), as compared to Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena UBT. It also highlighted that Sharad Pawar’s extensive state-wide campaign has gained positive momentum for the NCP (SP). Regions such as Western Maharashtra, Ahmednagar, and Nashik are reportedly witnessing a growing support base for Sharad Pawar faction of NCP.
It is also being speculated that Sharad Pawar’s recent surge in political activity across the state could be aimed at positioning his daughter, Supriya Sule, as Maharashtra’s first female Chief Minister, but when asked about the possibility, both Sule and Pawar have consistently maintained that any decision about the Chief Minister’s post will be taken after the election, depending on the party’s performance. Moreover, when Varsha Gaikwad was asked whether she would want to be the Chief Minister, Gaikwad said, “I am a Congress worker. We have several faces for the Chief Minister’s post. But as per the customary tradition of the party, MLAs decide the face for the Chief Minister post after the election.”
Supriya Sule enjoys significant clout both at the national level and within her own party. With Ajit Pawar having parted ways to lead his own faction of the NCP, many believe that there are no major contenders within the original NCP (SP) who would oppose Sule’s candidature for the Chief Minister’s role. If the MVA secures a majority, Sule could be an acceptable choice for the coalition, given her political experience and her reputation as a unifying figure.
In response to Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad’s statement that she would welcome a woman as Maharashtra’s next Chief Minister, Rupali Chakankar, an important leader from Ajit Pawar faction of NCP reiterated her belief that Ajit Pawar is the leader best suited to address women’s issues in the state. She publicly stated that simply having a woman at the helm will not resolve the real issues being faced by women in Maharashtra. She emphasized that Ajit Pawar, with his deep understanding of the state’s challenges and his experience, is the right person to lead Maharashtra as Chief Minister.
The role of women voters in elections cannot be underestimated, especially considering recent electoral outcomes in other states. In Madhya Pradesh, for instance, post-election data revealed that women were a key factor in the BJP’s victory over the Congress. Recognizing this, Maharashtra’s incumbent Mahayuti government has begun tailoring its policies to attract more female voters.
The Mahayuti government has introduced several schemes aimed at winning over women voters. ‘Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin’ scheme, which provides financial assistance to eligible women. 'Mukhyamantri Annapurna' scheme offering three free LPG gas cylinders to eligible women. Girls Free Higher Education Scheme, focus efforts by the Mahayuti government to reach out to women voters in the state.
It remains to be seen whether the political parties, which are working hard to win over female voters, will also give women significant representation in their candidate lists for the upcoming elections. While attracting female voters is a critical part of election strategy, the question lingers: Will these parties go a step further and pave the way for a woman to become Maharashtra’s first female Chief Minister?