The participation of the womenfolk in Bihar election has increased remarkably despite the fact that their representation in the Assembly has come down. As compared to 2010 when 36 women had been elected, this time only 27 have made it to the Assembly. Howeve, voting they registered 7 per cent increase from the previous polls. The reason behind the fall in their number might be that the political parties gave less ticket to them.
Of these 27 women MlAs nine are facing criminal charges including one who has a murder case pending and another facing attempt to murder and attempted suicide charges.
In 2010, the highest number of 36 women had been elected after 1957 when 34 women candidates had entered the Assembly. In 1962 and 2005 elections 25 women on both occasions had won while in 1969 their representation was only four. In the five-phase 2015 election, the voting share of women ranged between 55% to 66% which was higher than men’s voting share.
This time, 11 women of the RJD, seven of JD(U), four each of the Congress and the BJP and one Independent have been elected. Three of the woman MlAs of JD(U) — leshi Singh, Ranju Gita and Bima Bharti — had been Ministers in the outgoing Nitish Government.
Kunti Devi of the RJD, who won from Atri in Gaya and has entered the Assembly first time, is accused in a murder case under Section 302 of IPC. She is also facing charges related to punishment of criminal conspiracy (IPC Section-120B), one charge related to escape from confinement or custody negligently suffered by public servant (IPC Section-223), one charge related to resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension (IPC Section-224). Possibly this is the first time that a woman facing murder charge has been elected to the Assembly even though she had been MlA earlier too. She is wife of a lifer and former MlA Rajendra Yadav
JD(U)’s Poonam Devi Yadav is facing two charges of attempt to murder (IPC Section 307) although this is her third term to be elected as MlA. There is a long list of criminal cases against her including one charge related to voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons, one charge related to criminal intimidation, three charges related to rioting, two charges related to assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty, two charges related to rioting, armed with deadly weapon, one charge related to criminal trespass and others.
Chargesheets have been framed in six cases mostly by the Khagaria police. She is wife of a convicted Ranbir Yadv, a former MlA. Incidentally, she is also the richest MlAs having a wealth of over Rs 40 crore. Other women MlAs facing criminal charges are Amita Bhushan and Purnima Yadav of Congress, Aruna Devi of BJP and Ranju Gita, Bima Bharti, Kavita Singh and Veena Bharti, all of JD(U).