‘Denied But Not Defeated’: Will The Congress’s ‘Women Problem’ Cost It In Kerala?

Last Updated:March 21, 2026, 18:11 IST

A political row has erupted over the Congress 'denying tickets' to national spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed and other potential women candidates in Kerala

The Kerala Congress has much to chew on, and the “food for thought" has been served by former dentist and national spokesperson, Dr Shama Mohamed. After being denied a ticket for the Kannur assembly seat, Shama took to social media site X to declare herself “denied but not defeated". However, her defiance came with a sharp sting: a public questioning of why the party’s representation of women remains abysmally low.

The Matrilineal Paradox

Kerala presents a unique political paradox. It is a society with deep matrilineal roots where, according to the 2011 Census, women make up 52% of the population. Despite this, political representation across party lines has stubbornly remained below 10%.

The stakes were expected to be different this time. With Priyanka Gandhi Vadra—a self-proclaimed champion of women’s rights—now an MP from the state, many expected a surge in female candidates to tap into this powerful vote bank. While opponents may not label Shama a “high-profile" state leader, her vocal dissent could have significant repercussions not just in Kerala but in other poll-bound states.

Groundwork vs Party Hierarchy

Shama’s frustration stems from over a year of sustained groundwork in Kannur. Her recent renovation of a government school was a clear signal that she was nurturing the constituency. Her snub raises a recurring question within the Congress: does hitting the ground actually matter?

For a long time, it was speculated that KPCC president K Sudhakaran would take the seat. However, the party was reportedly hesitant to “waste" an opportunity in a predominantly Muslim-populated segment. This is where Shama pinned her hopes. By bypassing her, the party leadership risks appearing indifferent to those who build local organic support, favouring instead the established internal camps that Rahul Gandhi is currently struggling to unite.

A Pattern of ‘Aggressive’ Women Exiting?

Shama’s charge echoes a growing list of grievances from women who have felt sidelined by the grand old party. Only months ago, Mumtaz Patel remarked that the Congress remains “uncomfortable" with aggressive female voices.

This sentiment mirrors the exits of Priyanka Chaturvedi, who joined the Shiv Sena citing a lack of support, and Radhika Khera, who defected to the BJP after accusing the party of remaining silent while she was targeted in Chhattisgarh. These high-profile departures suggest a systemic struggle within the Congress to manage vocal, ambitious female leaders.

The BJP’s Strategic Opening

The timing of this internal friction could not be worse for the Congress. The Centre is reportedly planning to introduce a tweaked version of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the current Parliament session to expedite its implementation. The BJP is keen to leverage this in states where the female vote is decisive, such as Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

Shama’s public charge provides the BJP with the perfect ammunition to challenge the Congress’s pro-women credentials. Furthermore, the BJP is already projecting Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s presence in Assam as a tactical “diversion", arguing that she should be in the state where she serves as an MP. They are framing this as another example of women playing second fiddle to the party’s male leadership—specifically Rahul Gandhi.

The Extinguisher in the Room?

In the last assembly elections, the LDF managed to retain power by riding high on the support of women voters. While the Congress is hopeful of a comeback this time, the “Shama factor" threatens to dampen the momentum. If the party cannot reconcile its internal divisions and address the optics of sidelining its female voices, observers say Dr Shama Mohamed’s dissent might just be the spark that extinguishes the Congress’s chances in the south.

News elections ‘Denied But Not Defeated’: Will The Congress’s ‘Women Problem’ Cost It In Kerala?

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