A trend has clearly emerged in the changing scenario of Indian politics. This trend is that welfare schemes to empower women are proving to be a decisive factor in electoral victory. Political parties across states have announced and implemented women-centric welfare programs, creating a strong support base of women voters. This base of women voters has proven to be a strong voter bank for political parties. The Jharkhand and Maharashtra election results have once again confirmed this trend. This pattern highlights that women’s role is important in shaping political outcomes.
Women-focused wellness plans
Until just a few years ago, political analysts criticized the low voting percentage of women compared to men. This is the situation in which the presence of women on the voting lists is almost half. To bridge this gap, the Madhya Pradesh government under the leadership of Shivraj Singh Chauhan had launched such a scheme focusing on girls and women for the first time in the country. This scheme changed the political landscape of the MP.
Ladli Brahmin Yojana, launched a few days before the elections, turned out to be a turning point in Parliament. This scheme, which offers the benefit of direct cash transfer, inspired women voters to cast their votes in record numbers. This resulted in a massive victory for the BJP and this strategy turned out to be the formula to win the elections.
In recent years, many state governments have implemented women-focused welfare programs. These include direct cash transfers for the improvement of women in education and health. What is interesting is that women accepted these plans and, in return, enthusiastically voted for governments.
The governments of states where elections will be held in the coming months have also put similar plans in place. The core of these plans is to provide direct benefits to women. Although critics sometimes call these measures populist, the political benefits that flow from them cannot be denied.
Maharashtra and Jharkhand are recent examples of the success of these schemes.
Maharastra
In this Maharashtra election, the ruling Mahayuti alliance prioritized women-centric initiatives. The government expanded the Women’s Empowerment Plan, which provided financial incentives for women’s education and skills development. Ladki Bahin Yojana became the branding system of this government. Under this scheme, the government gives Rs 1,500 per month to the woman head of the family. Just before the elections, the government took a strategic step and promised to increase this amount to Rs 2,500. The Shinde government promised that if they were victorious, each female head of the family would receive Rs 2,500 a month.
The Shinde government’s focus on women voters paid off. In these elections, women turned out in large numbers to vote. Especially in rural and urban areas, large numbers of women turned out to vote and election results show that women overwhelmingly voted for the Mahayuti government. This was the reason why even in the seats where Maha Vikas Aghadi was giving tough competition to Mahayuti, Mahayuti achieved extraordinary success among women voters.
Jharkhand
Maharashtra’s success was also seen in Jharkhand. Also in this case the impact of plans focused on women was observed. Maiyan Samman Yojana created a stir in Jharkhand politics. Under this scheme, the state government provided Rs 1,000 every month to eligible women. The Hemant government has already transferred 4 installments of this scheme to women’s accounts. Apart from this, the Hemant government has also initiated plans to provide free bicycles to school-going girls, cash assistance to single mothers and cash assistance to unemployed women. Maiyan Samman Yojana managed to increase Hemant Sarkar’s political goodwill and loyalty. There was tremendous debate over these plans in tribal, poor and rural areas. The election results show that Hemant’s government benefited greatly from these plans and JMM managed to return with a huge majority.
Why are women-focused programs successful?
1. Direct beneficiaries: Women-focused welfare schemes often involve direct cash transfers or tangible benefits. Thanks to this, the beneficiary feels the benefit immediately and without complications. You are freed from intermediaries and feel empowered. In exchange for this benefit, he does not hesitate to vote for the interested party.
2. Community influence: Women, especially in rural India, play a central role in family and community decision-making, indirectly influencing many votes. When a woman is in a group and discusses these schemes, other women are also influenced by it.
3. Closing the social gap: These plans target long-standing inequalities. These plans immediately attract single mothers, widows and economically weaker sectors. Because that way they get cash without any government interference.
4. Build political loyalty: Beneficiary-focused programs build trust and loyalty among women, turning them into a permanent vote bank for the parties that implement them.
A clear picture emerges from the election results of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand: women voters are no longer silent voters. Women-centric welfare schemes have emerged as a powerful tool for political parties, reshaping electoral strategies and governance priorities.
As women establish themselves as a decisive voting group, the emphasis on women-sensitive governance will increase, which will not only affect electoral results but also the broader political landscape in India. Empowering women is no longer just a social imperative, but has become a strategic necessity to win in Indian politics.
