Thiruvananthapuram: When the 14th Assembly and Pinarayi Vijayan-led government came to power, only LDF had women MLAs representing them. UDF could resolve the drawback only after Shanimol Usman won Aroor bypolls.

There were 12 women who contested the assembly polls for CPM last time. Among them, K K Shailaja, J Mercykutty Amma, U Prathibha, Veena George and Ayisha Potty won while K K Lathika was defeated in Kuttiady constituency.

It is yet to decide how many of them will be fielded in this election. If CPM decided to avoid those who won twice, Veena and Prathibha will be eligible. K K Shailaja and J Mercykutty Amma are likely to get another chance.

Chintha Jerome and Faseela who are active with the youth wing party politics may be considered. There are reports that state secretariat member P K Sreemathy is likely be fielded in the assembly polls.

However, K K Shailaja and P K Sreemathy are less likely to contest from Kannur. Even if constituency changes, K K Shailaja will be fielded in the election.

CPI fielded 4 women in the election and 3 of them won. E S Bijimol, Geetha Gopi and C K Asha are the current MLAs of CPI. Among them, only C K Asha will be given a seat this time.

Mahila Sangham members Chinchurani, P Vasantham, Women’s Commission member M S Thara are the new faces who are likely to enter the electoral fray. A woman leader from Idukki is likely to replace Bijimol in the polls.

Janatha Dal (S) is another ally in the LDF who fielded a woman. Jameela Prakasham who contested the polls from Kovalam was defeated. However, Jameela may enter the fray from Kovalam representing the party this time too.

In the previous assembly election, 17 women contested the polls for LDF and 8 of them won the seats.