Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Karnataka Congress Names 35 Male District Presidents, Drawing Criticism
The Congress party in Karnataka chose 35 new district leaders, and all of them are men.
This has caused concern because the state cabinet also has no women ministers.
Congress said women already hold some other party positions.
It also said five district committee posts are still open and could go to women.
The party recently promoted schemes that help women, including monthly payments and free bus rides.
Critics say women should also have leadership roles, not only receive benefits.
A Congress-linked women’s group leader was described as disappointed.
A Bharatiya Janata Party leader criticized Congress but admitted that her own party also has too few women.
The discussion shows that women remain underrepresented in Karnataka politics.
The Karnataka Congress has appointed 35 district presidents, all of them men.
The party said women could be considered for at least five remaining District Congress Committee vacancies.
The all-male district appointments follow criticism over Karnataka’s 33-member cabinet having no woman minister.
The Congress highlighted women-focused schemes including Gruha Lakshmi and Shakthi while announcing the appointments.
Leaders from both Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party acknowledged broader male dominance in state politics.
- Who
- The Karnataka unit of the Indian National Congress, its new district presidents, and critics including women’s wing and Bharatiya Janata Party representatives.
- What
- The party appointed 35 district presidents, all men, while Karnataka’s 33-member cabinet also has no woman.
- When
- The district-president list was announced Thursday evening, as D. K. Shivakumar marked 100 days in office.
- Where
- Karnataka, India.
- Why
- Congress said women could be considered for five remaining District Congress Committee vacancies and noted that women already serve as vice presidents and general secretaries.
Congress Justification
Representation Critics
Unfilled district positions
Congress Justification
Congress said women hold vice-president and general-secretary roles and could be included in at least five remaining District Congress Committee vacancies.
Representation Critics
Critics argue that appointing no women among 35 district presidents reinforces women’s political marginalization.
Women’s political participation
Congress Justification
A Congress leader said rebuilding the party from the bottom up involves extensive travel and organizational work that may not be possible for many women.
Representation Critics
Critics say women should be represented in positions of political power rather than being treated mainly as beneficiaries of government schemes.
Cross-party responsibility
Congress Justification
The Bharatiya Janata Party criticized Congress’s record on women’s representation.
Representation Critics
A Bharatiya Janata Party women’s wing leader also conceded that her own party has male-dominated leadership and only marginally better representation.
- District presidents appointed
- 35
- Women among district presidents
- None
- Karnataka cabinet size
- 33 members
- Women in Karnataka cabinet
- None
- Potential remaining District Congress Committee vacancies
- At least five
- Gruha Lakshmi benefit
- Rs 2,000 per month for women heads of household
- Shakthi benefit
- Free bus rides for women