ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an understanding of politics in Uttar Pradesh with particular reference to the role of women. It throws light on the significance of women's contribution in the state since the national movement and early years of independence to the twenty-first century. It examines how the issue of women's participation in politics is entangled with patriarchal and feudal attitudes which have their own influence on social attitudes and continuously shape people's mindset. Not only the men, but women also are not open to accepting females in leadership positions. The chapter also discusses the influence that money and muscle power and growing commercialization and criminalization of politics are deterrents to women's political participation in the state even though Uttar Pradesh has the distinction of being a pioneering state in recognizing Panchayati Raj Institutions and adopting the policy of reservation for women in local governance.
