Minorities have been underrepresented in Bengal Assembly

The election process in West Bengal is approaching fast, amid an ocean of uncertainty over who will ultimately be able to cast their votes. In its final list, the Election Commission (EC) has placed nearly 60 lakh citizens under adjudication. While a supplementary list has been published, the fate of 27 lakh voters remains uncertain. The entire SIR exercise has created mayhem both in the administration and among citizens, and has pushed the issue of human development and social justice to the margins.

As most political parties have announced their candidates, it is worthwhile to assess their social group and gender composition. These candidate lists offer an important lens to assess the extent of commitment towards India’s pluralistic social fabric. However, what about the present composition of the State’s legislature? By conducting a critical assessment of the composition of the 17th West Bengal Legislative Assembly, one aims to evaluate the representation of various social groups in the State’s highest policymaking body. As State governments bear the bulk of the responsibility for designing, adjusting and implementing welfare policies effectively, the composition of the Assembly is crucial. Having representatives from various social groups makes sure that policy priorities address the needs of everyone in society.