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New Delhi, Nov 15 (IANS) In recent state elections – from Bihar to Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra – parties have launched women-centric welfare schemes to blunt the opposition’s rhetoric and influence voting behavior as well as help them independently build their future.
Women are also beneficiaries of central government schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, Lakhpati Didi, Mudra Yojana, Drone Didi Abhiyan, Bima Sakhi Abhiyan and Bank Didi.
The National Commission for Women has listed 40 departments in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Center that offer several specific women-centric schemes.
Meanwhile, state governments have implemented such schemes, sometimes started their own schemes, or expanded the scope of such and related programmes.
Among the reasons being held responsible for the overwhelming pro-incumbency mandate for the NDA in the recently concluded assembly elections in Bihar are its policies aimed at empowering women.
Political analysts highlight the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government’s schemes like the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana, which offers women to start their own businesses, the Mukhyamantri Balika Cycle Yojana, and several other initiatives like the Uniform and Scholarship Scheme for girls from backward and economically weaker families.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, as chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, earned the nickname “Mama” (uncle) from children for his role in empowering their mothers.
State schemes include Ladli Lakshmi Yojana which provides financial assistance to families on the birth of girls, Kanyadaan Yojana in mass marriage for girls from economically disadvantaged families, Laadli Behna Yojana with monthly grants for young women from disadvantaged social backgrounds.
These schemes made a significant impact in Madhya Pradesh, improving the lives of women and children and contributing to the popularity of Union Minister Chouhan.
Now, in his current capacity, he oversees programs such as the Women Farmers Empowerment Project and the National Women Farmers Scheme, which aim to improve the productivity and income of women farmers, encouraging them to take up leadership roles in agriculture.
In Maharashtra, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government’s Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, which provides monthly financial assistance, emerged as a direct benefit transfer to women, which parties could showcase during campaigns.
Such a model shows how naming and regular distribution increase political influence.
The schemes branded as “Ladli Bahana” or “Ladki Bahin” do more than send money – they form a recurring ritual with meetings of beneficiaries, card distribution, public openings where party cadre and voters interact.
Such contact strengthens local party networks and makes gains a visible measure of existing capacity.
In Jharkhand and other states, officials and commentators described targeted direct benefit transfers and welfare schemes for mothers and low-income women as central to the incumbents’ outreach strategies.
Apart from short-term vote swings, women-centric schemes also yield organizational benefits.
Such initiatives enable door-to-door campaigning, allow timing of release of funds to the electoral calendar, and groom local influencers – self-help group leaders, Anganwadi workers, women community organizers – who act as intermediaries between the state and voters.
Reports suggest that the incumbent government is often being benefited by the target groups through such programs converting them into vocal voting, especially in semi-urban and rural constituencies where personal contact remains decisive.
As the assembly programs move forward, an intensification in women-centric appeals can be expected with new cash transfer promises, expansion of maternity and nutrition schemes and more visible branding for women voters.
Reports from West Bengal suggest that the Bihar election results may encourage West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress to increase the amount of its popular “Lakshmi Bhandar” scheme for women designed to provide financial assistance to women belonging to economically disadvantaged sections.
Incidentally, reports said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had increased the amount ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Assembly elections are expected to be held in West Bengal in the first quarter of 2026.
–IANS
JB/KHz