India

The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may be on two sides of the political spectrum but are uncannily alike when it comes to giving women representation — 71 to be precise.

Disappointed with the UPA government's lack of commitment to gender issues, civil society representatives have demanded 33%reservation for women in Parliament and compulsory registration of marriages. These demands are part of the women's charter released by non-government organisations.

Lured by the promise of the Women's Reservation Bill introduced in the 14th Lok Sabha (Lower House), a larger number of women are seeking party tickets this time.

Indian politics’ skewed sex ratio is best illustrated by the composition of the last parliament. It had just 45 women, which is 8.3% of the strength of the House. Those 45 MPs were elected from the 355 women who contested the 2004 general elections. The 15th Lok Sabha looks set to be even worse.

As exit polls predict a hung verdict to India's month-long general elections, results for which are expected late Saturday, the only certainty is that a handful of top female politicians firmly hold the keys to the formation of the next government.

A record 61 women MPs have been elected to the 15th Lok Sabha - the highest since independence. A majority of these MPs - 23 – belong to Congress. The BJP has contributed 13 women to the House.

India's parliament has elected its first woman Speaker after a sweeping victory for the Congress party in recent general elections. Congress veteran Meira Kumar, 64, a former lawyer and diplomat, was elected unopposed to cheers from MPs.

he BJP is committed to 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures. We will not dilute on the numbers (anything less than 33 per cent), but are ready for any formula which satisfies all," BJP Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj told reporters here.