Leaders talk about gender equality but it is not seen during selection of candidates. They will talk about winnability and a woman candidate seldom fulfils the criteria unless she is from a political family.

Nagma’s statement, “Leaders talk about gender equality but it is not seen during selection of candidates. They will talk about winnability and a woman candidate seldom fulfils the criteria unless she is from a political family,” points to the deep gap between rhetoric and practice in politics. While many political leaders claim to support gender equality, this commitment often fades when it comes to the actual selection of candidates, where women are judged by narrower or biased standards.

The term “winnability” highlights a frequent excuse used by parties to sideline women in favor of male candidates, under the assumption that men are more “electable.” Nagma notes that the few women who do get selected often come from political families, revealing the persistence of nepotism and structural barriers that limit opportunities for women without powerful backgrounds. This critique underscores how systemic inequality continues to shape women’s political participation.

The origin of this quote lies in Nagma’s own experience as both a Bollywood actress and an Indian politician. Having entered politics with the Indian National Congress, she has firsthand knowledge of how female candidates are assessed differently. Her words reflect the frustration of many women in Indian politics, where representation remains low despite frequent calls for reform and women’s reservation bills.

At its core, the quote is a challenge to political parties: gender equality must be more than a slogan. By exposing the contradiction between lofty promises and the realities of candidate selection, Nagma calls for structural changes that would allow women to compete fairly, not only those with dynastic ties. Her statement is both a personal observation and a wider commentary on the ongoing struggle for women’s equal voice in governance.

Would you like me to also connect this to the debate around India’s long-delayed Women’s Reservation Bill, which directly addresses the concerns she raises?