Rising Stars of 2024 Elections: Meet the Women Winners Transforming Indian Politics

In India’s recent national elections, 74 women were elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament. This number is slightly down from the 78 women who won in the 2019 elections. This year, 797 women competed for seats, showing robust participation.

This election is notable as it is the first since India passed a bill reserving one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures for women. However, this law has not yet been put into effect. The number of women in the Lok Sabha has gradually increased, but India still lags behind countries like South Africa (46% women MPs), the UK (35%), and the US (29%). The 18th Lok Sabha will have over 13.44% women MPs, one of the highest ratios since 1952.

Below, we highlight a few of these successful candidates and their achievements.

Hema Malini

Hema Malini, a renowned Bollywood actress, successfully transitioned into politics with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She began her political career in 2003 when she was appointed to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India’s Parliament. Since 2014, she has served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Mathura in the Lok Sabha, India’s lower house. Besides her political duties, Malini is deeply involved in cultural and charitable activities, focusing on enhancing the cultural heritage and beautification of Mathura, reflecting her passion for the arts and her cultural roots.

Priya Saroj

At just 25 years old, Priya Saroj represents the Machhlishahr area as a young political leader. She is part of the Samajwadi Party, a major political organization in India. Her priorities include empowering the youth, improving educational facilities, and boosting employment opportunities in her region. Priya aims to bring innovative and effective governance to her role, focusing on meeting the expectations and needs of younger people in her community.

Kangana Ranaut

Kangana Ranaut, originally acclaimed for her strong and influential roles in Bollywood, transitioned dramatically into politics. She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and successfully ran for a parliamentary seat from Mandi, a region in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, in her first election. Known for her forthright opinions and strong nationalist stance, her political campaign reflected her persona as a resolute and outspoken figure.

Bansuri Swaraj

Bansuri Swaraj is following in the footsteps of her mother, Sushma Swaraj, who was a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and served as India’s Minister of External Affairs. Bansuri has recently won a parliamentary seat in New Delhi, continuing her family’s tradition of serving the public. Trained as a lawyer, she brings a deep understanding of law and policy to her role in politics. Her political career is seen as a commitment to advance her mother’s legacy, focusing on important issues like women’s rights and social welfare.

Supriya Sule

Supriya Sule, a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has successfully maintained her position as a Member of Parliament for Baramati, a constituency in Maharashtra, India. Her strong connection with the local community is evident in her consistent focus on critical issues like education, healthcare, and women’s rights. Sule’s active involvement in parliamentary committees and her advocacy on national socio-economic matters highlight her as an influential figure in both regional and national politics, continually earning the trust and support of her constituents.

Mahua Moitra

Mahua Moitra, who transitioned from investment banking to politics, represents Krishnanagar in the Indian state of West Bengal as a member of the Trinamool Congress party. Known for her powerful and articulate speeches, Moitra has become well-known nationally for her direct criticism of India’s central government and her strong advocacy for greater transparency and accountability in politics. Her efforts are focused on protecting democratic principles and ensuring financial integrity within government operations.

Dimple Yadav

Dimple Yadav is a key political figure in Uttar Pradesh, a state in northern India. She represents the Samajwadi Party and is married to Akhilesh Yadav, a former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Dimple serves as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Mainpuri, focusing her efforts on local development and social welfare programs. Her political work is particularly noted for its emphasis on education and women’s rights, aiming to drive progressive change in her region.

Misa Bharti

Misa Bharti, the daughter of Lalu Prasad Yadav, the leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) party, represents the Pataliputra district in the Indian state of Bihar. Her political career is marked by her dedication to social justice and development in rural areas. The name “Misa” commemorates the Maintenance of Internal Security Act, a law under which her father was imprisoned during a period of political upheaval in India known as the Emergency. In her role, Misa focuses on addressing issues like poverty, education, and healthcare, continuing her family’s influential legacy in Bihar’s political scene.

Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

Kanimozhi Karunanidhi is a multifaceted figure in Indian politics, working as a poet, journalist, and politician for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party. She represents Thoothukkudi in Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India. As the daughter of M. Karunanidhi, a former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, she has a strong presence in the Indian Parliament, where she focuses on issues such as gender equality, freedom of the press, and regional autonomy. Kanimozhi also actively promotes Tamil culture and participates in various literary and cultural forums, contributing significantly to both political and cultural discussions in India.

-Staff Reporter (Compiled from various news articles)