MUMBAI: The number of people contesting Maharashtra's 48 Lok Sabha seats has decreased from 867 to 879 in 2014. However, the number of women contestants has increased by three per cent. Out of 867 contestants, only 80 are women i.e. 9.23 per cent. In 2014, only 69 women were in the fray or 6.46 per cent of candidates. Women leaders of political parties, however, are saying that this is not enough.

During the first phase of the election, 116 contestants were in the fray in seven Lok Sabha seats. Out of these, 13 are women. Of these, five women contested the Nagpur seat while three women received tickets for the Ramtek and Yavatmal-Washim seats.

The second phase will see 179 contestants battling it out for 10 Lok Sabha seats. Out of these, 12 are women. Of them four women are contesting the Amravati seat. In third phase, 249 candidates, including 18 women, are in the race. Of these, four contestants are contesting the Baramati seat and three women contestants each have been fielded in Raver and Aurangabad. In the fourth phase, 323 contestants will contest 17 seats. Of these, 37 contestants are women and seven will contest the Mumbai North East seat. Four-four women are contesting the Mumbai North Central and Maval seats.

Stating that the country has a 50 per cent female electorate, Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Shaina NC said, “Shouldn't we have at least 33 per cent representation in individual parties for women candidates. The reality is we don't have eleven per cent in Parliament and nine per cent in state Assemblies. It is an apology of the situation because the women are not just a vote bank. They echo and express the sentiments of crores of women of this country, whose issues go unnoticed.”

Shiv Sena legislator and spokesperson Neelam Gorhe, said that although it is not enough we should appreciate the fact that parties are roping in women and that they are contesting independently. "It will give more space to women in Parliament. They will take the women's

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