The BJP-led NDA in Bihar - which has been accusing the opposition of stalling a bill envisaging 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies - has resorted to tokenism when it came to distribution of tickets to women in the general election.
According to the list released by the NDA on March 23, only three women candidates have been allotted Lok Sabha tickets in the state - one each by alliance partners the BJP, JD(U) and the LJP.
The opposition Grand Alliance - comprising the RJD, Congress, RLSP,
Echoing similar sentiments, JD(U) spokesperson and MLC Niraj Kumar said, "It was difficult for the party to accommodate more women this time as it was contesting just 17 seats in the state."