ISAS Insights

This paper examines the role of select women politicians from national and regional parties in the forthcoming Indian elections. It focuses particularly on the significant impact that three key women politicians are likely to have on the elections and the post-electoral government formation. These three politicians are Mayawati Kumari (Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party [BSP]), J. Jayalalitha (former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the General Secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam [AIADMK]) and Mamata Banerjee (Former Union Minister and main leader of the Trinamool Congress [TC]). Before providing a detailed analysis of the significance of the three leaders, the paper will set the context by highlighting the role of women in South Asia's politics, women voters and the representation of women in India's Parliament, and an overview of women leaders in India's politics.