Women-centric schemes emerge as game-changers in Maha & J'khand?

Both states witnessed a surge in women voters

NEW DELHI: Direct financial assistance to women has emerged as a powerful electoral strategy, fundamentally reshaping political outcomes in Assembly elections. The latest evidence comes from Maharashtra and Jharkhand, where targeted welfare schemes coupled with historic female voter turnout have helped ruling alliances secure commanding victories, suggesting a significant shift in electoral dynamics where women voters are increasingly becoming the decisive factor.

The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance's landslide victory in Maharashtra can be attributed, in part, to the Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched in August 2024. It provided Rs 1,500 per month to women with an annual family income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde later announced that the assistance would be increased to Rs 2,100 and also announced a plan to recruit 25,000 women into the police force to enhance safety.