Most political parties promise greater representation for women in law-making bodies, but in Maharashtra just a dozen ladies from big parties (or alliances) are in the fray.
Two women are in a direct contest in two Lok Sabha seats.
In Mumbai North Central, sitting MP Poonam Mahajan (BJP) is pitted against Priya Dutt (Congress).
In Baramati, sitting MP Supriya Sule (NCP) will take on Kanchan Kul (BJP).
Besides Poonam Mahajan and Kanchan Kul, the BJP has fielded Dr Bharti Pawar (Dindori), Smita Wagh (Jalgaon) Raksha Khadse (Raver) and Dr Pritam Munde (Beed).
On the other hand, besides Priya Dutt, Congress has fielded Urmila Matondkar (Mumbai North) and Charulata Tokas (Wardha).
The NCP and Shiv Sena have fielded just one women candidates, Supriya Sule and Bhawna Gawli (Yavatmal-Washim) respectively.
The Congress-NCP has backed the candidature of former model-actress Navneet Kaur Rana, who is contesting from Amravati as the candidate of Yuva Swabhimani Party.
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