Congress leader Shashi Tharoor (File photo) NEW DELHI: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday strongly backed greater women’s representation in elections when asked about fellow colleague Shama Mohamed complaining about the low number of tickets allotted to women candidates for the Kerala Assembly polls.Acknowledging the dearth of women’s representation in proportion to the population, the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha MP highlighted the need for women’s reservation.He was also asked about fellow Congress leader Shama Mohamed’s post on X on Friday on the low number of tickets being given to women candidates.”I have been for some time very much in favour of greater women’s representation,” Tharoor told news agency PTI.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Israel pounds Tehran as Iranians mark Nowruz; UAE, Kuwait defences respond to missile barrageTrump Rules Out Ceasefire: says US nears Iran war goals; signals wider military options’Enemy has been defeated’: Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei claims victory over US, IsraelThe Congress leader, however, listed out the possibilities that determine ticket distribution ahead of the polls, one of which he said would have been the “winnability” factor.”And I’m sorry to say, I do agree that when women are half the population, that they get only 9.8 per cent of the seats is not fair. But again, those who made these decisions, and I’m not one of them, I’m not part of the selection process for candidates, but all I can say is that those who’ve done that must have taken all factors into account. And they claim that ultimately they were guided by winnability and that’s a principal thing,” Tharoor said.He further said that once women’s reservation comes into force, it would provide a “fair opportunity to more hard-working women leaders”.”But when women’s reservation comes, I think that’ll be an end to these debates and we will see a fair opportunity to more hard-working women leaders,” he added.Congress leader Shama Mohamed on Friday raised concerns over the low representation of women in the party’s candidate list, urging Rahul Gandhi to intervene.In a post on X, Mohamed said that out of 92 tickets, only nine had been allotted to women. She also pointed to the Lok Sabha elections, where just one woman was fielded among 16 candidates in Kerala.”Denied but not defeated,” she wrote, appealing to Rahul Gandhi to support women leaders in the state unit.Her remarks come a day after the Congress finalised its candidates. Leader of opposition VD Satheesan said the party has locked in all 95 nominees it is contesting. “We had announced 55 candidates earlier and have now finalised the remaining 40. The selection process is complete, and we will now move into campaign mode,” he said.Kerala will vote in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPak Claims India Developing 12,000 Km Range Missile After US Report Places Islamabad Alongside IranAsaduddin Owaisi Slams PM Modi Over Iran War Says India Lost Neutral Voice In Global Peace EffortsMoD Reveals India Exploring Joining GCAP Or FCAS Sixth Generation Fighter ProgrammePM Modi Speaks To Bahrain King, Condemns Attacks On Energy Infra, Stresses Secure Shipping RoutesTrump Sending Troops To Strait Of Hormuz?; ‘Iran Being Decimated’: Bibi Denies Dragging U.S Into WarDiplomacy In New Avatar: Why Vikram Doraiwami Picked Chinese Name Wei Jiameng As India’s New EnvoyHow Iran’s Attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan Gas Hub Sparks India’s Energy EmergencyIndian National Killed In Riyadh, MEA Confirms Total 6 Dead, 1 Missing Amid Israel-Iran WarRussia Tip Off Led To NIA Arrest Of Matthew VanDyke, Global Insurgency Network Exposed In Northeast’Some Say India Can Stop The War’: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Big Statement123Photostories10 must-try Thai foods everyone should taste at least onceTwin baby names born on Saturday7 foods that help control sudden sugar craving5 simple exercises to improve bone strength7 of the world’s most expensive cars and what makes them extraordinaryTop 8 residential areas in Delhi known for upscale and luxurious livingJasprit Bumrah’s ₹40 lakh ‘Sher-e-Punjab’ watch goes viral post World CupWeekend binge guide: 5 heartwarming slice-of-life K-dramas from ‘English teacher’,’Doctor Slump’, to’My Liberation Notes’7 high-protein vegetarian Indian snacks that don’t require cookingDementia care isn’t just medication: How structured daily habits can slow cognitive decline, reduce anxiety, and improve quality of life123Hot PicksIran newsGautam SinghaniaStrait of HormuzGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingIga SwiatekAir India Boeing 77760% free seat ruleQatar LNG ExportsMojtaba KhameneiJames GraceySpring EquinoxDiesel price hike8th Pay CommissionPremium Petrol Price Hike
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday strongly backed greater women’s representation in elections when asked about fellow colleague Shama Mohamed complaining about the low number of tickets allotted to women candidates for the Kerala Assembly polls.Acknowledging the dearth of women’s representation in proportion to the population, the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha MP highlighted the need for women’s reservation.He was also asked about fellow Congress leader Shama Mohamed’s post on X on Friday on the low number of tickets being given to women candidates.“I have been for some time very much in favour of greater women’s representation,” Tharoor told news agency PTI.The Congress leader, however, listed out the possibilities that determine ticket distribution ahead of the polls, one of which he said would have been the “winnability” factor.“And I’m sorry to say, I do agree that when women are half the population, that they get only 9.8 per cent of the seats is not fair. But again, those who made these decisions, and I’m not one of them, I’m not part of the selection process for candidates, but all I can say is that those who’ve done that must have taken all factors into account. And they claim that ultimately they were guided by winnability and that’s a principal thing,” Tharoor said.He further said that once women’s reservation comes into force, it would provide a “fair opportunity to more hard-working women leaders”.“But when women’s reservation comes, I think that’ll be an end to these debates and we will see a fair opportunity to more hard-working women leaders,” he added.Congress leader Shama Mohamed on Friday raised concerns over the low representation of women in the party’s candidate list, urging Rahul Gandhi to intervene.In a post on X, Mohamed said that out of 92 tickets, only nine had been allotted to women. She also pointed to the Lok Sabha elections, where just one woman was fielded among 16 candidates in Kerala.”Denied but not defeated,” she wrote, appealing to Rahul Gandhi to support women leaders in the state unit.Her remarks come a day after the Congress finalised its candidates. Leader of opposition VD Satheesan said the party has locked in all 95 nominees it is contesting. “We had announced 55 candidates earlier and have now finalised the remaining 40. The selection process is complete, and we will now move into campaign mode,” he said.Kerala will vote in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4.
