Women’s Representation in Politics

The intention behind the demand for an increase in the representation of women in electoral politics has been to not only ensure the physical presence of women in the political arena, but also influence a change in the dominant political discourse rife with opportunism, sexism and, hyper-masculinity. Incidents like Priyanka Chaturvedi’s move from Congress to Shiv Sena, however, bring to attention a tragic irony. Chaturvedi, who left the Congress on grounds of inaction by the party on sexism and lumpenism against her, instead, chose to be co-opted by a political party that can hardly boast of a bright record on gender justice. While justifying her “move up the ladder,” Chaturvedi also reiterated her commitment to women’s rights. 

Such a move, though not in the least isolated, brings to focus the “new” normal of politics: a naked careerism bereft of principled or ethical stands, commitment, and guilt. It is important to interrogate this normality. This incident also reflects how parties may end up looking at their members as employees on a payroll, whose job is to market the party’s brand and image. Such members could, however, not be considered politicians inasmuch as they are not expected to have any deep connect with people or even with the party’s core beliefs and ideology. This also makes a switch between parties normal as it is in a corporate culture.