BJP and Modi Govt more than serious about Delimitation Exercise and Quota for Women !! But 'women in politics' has changed a lot since 2014

In 2014 when Narendra Modi became India's Prime Minister; the country was also witness to emergence of "firebrand women chief ministers" and other limelight. But in circa 2026, two women CMs plus two more are no longer in office. 

Several others too are not around for multiple reasons. 

But it is a fact of life that things have changed and many of them are almost lost in oblivion.  Jayalalitha is no more. Mamata Banerjee was recently ousted in a massive mandate and she herself failed to become a legislator. Now her party TMC has virtually suffered two splits - one in the state assembly and the other in Parliament. 

In Modi 1.0; there were women stalwarts - Sushma Swaraj (foreign Minister), Uma Bharti (Minister for Water Resources and Namami Ganga). Smriti Irani (HRD Minister) and also Nirmala Sitharaman (then Commerce Minister). 

Only Ms Sitharaman is now in the cabinet as the Finance Minister. She was also Defence Minister between 2017 and 2019.  Even Jammu and Kashmir had woman CM Mehbooba Mufti and in Gujarat Anandiben Patel had replaced Narendra Modi himself. 

Ms Mehbooba was defeated and Anandiben Patel is now UP Governor. BJP later had Vasundhara Raje Scindia as Rajasthan CM but she was denied the opportunity to lead the government in Jaipur in 2023. 

 

In the political sphere, Sonia Gandhi is also marginalised as she no longer heads Congress. Even her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra though is a MP; she can only suggest or advice and the real power in Congress is with her brother Rahul Gandhi. 

In Uttar Pradesh, BSP supremo Mayawati is now heavily marginalised.  

Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar is leading TMC rebellion and she is ably supported by female colleagues such as Shatabdi Roy and Saayoni Ghosh.  In West Bengal, Minister Agnimitra Paul will be an important leader to keep an eye.