Cong ready for 33 percent quota for women in Assembly polls

State Congress president G Parameshwara on Saturday said the party is ready to field women in 33% of 224 Assembly constituencies in the next election if the women leaders come forward to contest the polls.

Speaking after inaugurating the executive committee meeting of KPCC women's wing at Palace grounds, he said women leaders who are confident of contesting the polls should submit applications seeking the party ticket. The party is committed to providing 33% reservation to women in Parliament and the state Assemblies, he added.

"Only 10 women leaders had submitted applications seeking the ticket during the 2013 Assembly election. What the party can do if women shy away from entering the fray," he stated, adding that the party has made it mandatory to appoint at least three women members in the booth committees.

He also exhorted the KPCC women's wing members to actively take part in the birth centenary celebrations of late Indira Gandhi and educate people on her contributions in the development of the country.