Now Reading: Karnataka cabinet without women draws BJP protest
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Karnataka cabinet without women draws BJP protest
BJP legislators staged a dharna in Bengaluru on August 14 to protest Karnataka’s all-male 33-member Cabinet, a first in recent history. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had earlier told the media there was…
The Story in Brief
BJP legislators staged a dharna in Bengaluru on August 14 to protest Karnataka’s all-male 33-member Cabinet, a first in recent history. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had earlier told the media there was 'no urgency' to include a woman, though he assured one vacant slot would go to a woman. Congress, which nationally pushes for 33% women’s reservation, dropped Gayathri Shanthegowda from the approved list before swearing-in. Only 10 women were elected to the 224-member assembly in 2023. Women voters outnumbered men in 17 of 34 electoral divisions.
The Indian Opinion
The BJP’s protest is convenient for a party that itself gave women only symbolic ministerial slots when in power. Neither side treats women as more than vote banks. The real test is not the one vacant berth promised by Mr Shivakumar, but the portfolio a woman eventually gets. If it is yet another 'lightweight' charge, the political choice is clear.
Sources (2): thehindu.com, thehindu.com (2)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
