In contemporary times, the female vote has emerged as a pivotal force and the largest vote bank for political parties. Whether it’s during legislative or assembly elections, the run-up to the polls witnesses a slew of government schemes tailored for women, along with promises of financial support credited directly to their accounts. This pattern has become almost a ritual. As the country gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the question on everyone’s mind is: what will be the impact of women voters this time around?
In the past, political parties relied heavily on caste, religion, creed, and language-based vote banks to secure their strength. However, a notable shift has occurred, with women emerging as standalone vote banks.
The significance of women’s presence at polling booths can now be interpreted as indicative of voting patterns that wield considerable influence over democratic outcomes. This underscores the growing role of women in shaping political power within the democratic framework.
BJP’s senior leader and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi emphasises, “With the blessings of our mothers and sisters (the women of Bharat), our country will continue to progress in the ‘Amrit Kaal’ (golden period) and will continue to make important decisions.”
Priyanka Gandhi Vadara asserts, “Women are the backbone of our country. My sisters bear the entire burden of the family and society.”
Indeed, whether the focus is on governance or national welfare, the message is unequivocal: without addressing the concerns of women, attaining power becomes an arduous task. The influence of the silent yet potent women voters is unmistakable. Consequently, regardless of political affiliation, the significance of women is evident in both overt and covert party agendas.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted, “We have placed women’s entire life cycle at the centre and introduced numerous government schemes to ease their lives, reduce their problems, and provide them with ample opportunities to progress. This stands as one of the most crucial priorities of our government.”
It is interesting to note here that the 2024 Lok Sabha election is not just the world’s largest poll but also stands out for the significant increase in women’s vote share. Approximately 2.63 crore first-time voters, constituting 6 per cent of the total voters, are participating in this election. Among these first-time voters, around 1.41 crore are women and 1.22 crore are men. This notable difference in the number of male and female voters underscores the growing importance of women voters, a fact that is well understood by every political party.
In a recent interview, Congress spokesperson Abhay Dubey stressed their efforts towards empowering women in India. He emphasised the significance of directly transferring support money to women’s accounts, citing recent initiatives in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka where Rs. 2000 per month is being transferred to female beneficiaries. Dubey explained that increasing purchasing power among women helps revive the economy. He stressed that empowering women is not just about their role as voters but also about their crucial role in driving India’s economic growth. Dubey noted the changing dynamics where women are taking on more leadership roles, indicating a shift from decisions based solely on family influence. He expressed optimism about women’s increased participation in the future, projecting a potential 33 per cent or even 50 per cent representation in the direct democratic system, calling it a significant step forward for India.
In a recent interview on national TV Channel, Gaurav Bhatia, BJP spokesperson, underlined the transformative impact of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) on women, as well as other marginalised groups such as the backward classes, OBCs, and youth. Bhatia highlighted that the seamless transfer of Rs. 30 lakh crore through DBT, without any discrepancies, has positively influenced the mindset of the common man.
In the realm of government welfare schemes, several initiatives stand out for their focus on women’s empowerment and well-being. Among these are schemes such as the “Mukhya Mantri Ladli Behna Yojana,” “Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Samman Nidhi Yojana,” “Mahatari Vandana Yojana 2024,” “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,” and “Mukhyamantri Rajya Nirashrit Mahila Samman Pension Yojana.” Each of these programmes is designed to uplift and support women across various aspects of their lives, reflecting a broader commitment to gender equality and female welfare.
In the recent Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, the “Ladli Behna Yojana” emerged as a potential game-changer, influencing the electoral landscape.
In the Rajasthan Assembly elections, the Congress made a significant promise to provide gas cylinders at Rs 400. In response, the BJP countered with a range of government schemes, including the “Lado Protsahan Yojana,” which incentivizes the education of girls, free education up to post-graduation.
In Chhattisgarh, the BJP introduced the Mahtari Vandan Yojana (Strong Women, Strong State) and the “Rani Durgavati Scheduled Caste-Tribe Self-Employment Scheme.”
Arvind Kejriwal recently made a significant announcement, stating that Rs 1000 will be transferred monthly to the accounts of all women above 18 years of age. Despite a reduction in New Delhi’s health budget by Rs 1,057 crore compared to the previous fiscal year’s budget of Rs 9,742 crore, the state government remains committed to implementing the “Mukhya Mantri Mahila Sanman Yojana.” This scheme aims to provide financial support to women, reflecting the government’s focus on women’s welfare. With approximately 67 lakh women voters in New Delhi, this announcement is also seen as a strategic move targeting the upcoming assembly elections.
In a bid to empower women and provide financial assistance, several state governments in India have initiated various schemes. The Himachal Pradesh government, through the “Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Samman Nidhi Yojana,” offers a monthly pension of Rs. 1500.
Similarly, the Tamil Nadu government, under the “Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Scheme,” provides direct account transfers of Rs. 1000 per month to around one crore female heads of households.
In Chattisgarh, the state government has implemented the “Mahatari Vandana Yojana,” which benefits women above 21 with a monthly allowance of Rs. 1000.
In Madhya Pradesh, the “Ladli Behna Yojana” ensures women beneficiaries receive Rs. 1250 per month in their accounts.
Karnataka’s “Gruh Laxmi Yojana” offers women beneficiaries Rs. 2000 per month, while West Bengal’s “Laxmi Bhandar Yojana” provides Rs. 1000 per month to women beneficiaries aged between 25 to 60 years.
These schemes not only provide financial support but also aim to empower women and improve their overall quality of life.
In the dominion of politics, women are often viewed as a distinct voter base, separate from considerations of caste, creed, religion, or language. Nitish Kumar’s decision to implement a “Liquor Ban” is considered a first move as a strategic move aimed at appealing to women voters, marking a significant shift in political strategy.
The power of women votes has started shaping the country’s politics.
It’s a common phenomenon in the country’s political landscape that any unfortunate incident or wrongdoing involving a woman is often politicised before justice is served. This trend has had notable effects on elections and political dynamics.
The incident in Sandesh Khali is a poignant example of the complexities surrounding women’s respect and safety in politics. Here, women under government protection made allegations against a minister from the ruling party, TMC, highlighting the intersection of gender issues and political power dynamics.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, women voters outnumbered male voters, with 81.79 per cent women casting their votes compared to 81.35 per cent men.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) saw a decrease in seats from 34 in 2014 to 22 in 2019. In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) witnessed a significant increase in seats, jumping from 2 in 2014 to 18 in 2019.
During the state assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, the BJP emphasised women’s security issues. This strategy resulted in a surge in female voter turnout, contributing to BJP’s substantial victory in these states.
In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh state assembly elections, BJP gave top priority to women security and law and order situations, resulting in a large turnout of women voters and a massive BJP win.
While often considered silent voters, women wield significant power in elections, capable of both changing governments and re-electing them.
In the last 5 years, 23 states had elections, out of which 18 states had more female voters than male. Out of these 18 states, 10 saw repeat of government, breaking the anti-incumbency factors.
Over time, women have come to recognise the significance and power of their vote. They have not only realized the necessity of voting but also the importance of making an independent choice, free from external influence, including that of their families. This evolution in women’s voting behaviour has led to changing patterns year after year.
In 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the number of registered voters are around 96.8 crore, out of which male voters are around more than 49 per cent and women voters are around 47 per cent.
Over the past decade, a noticeable shift in voting patterns has unfolded, as evidenced by the outcomes of the last two Lok Sabha elections. This transformation highlights why Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi consistently emphasizes “Women Empowerment” schemes and his famous quote urging a shift from “Women Empowerment” to “women-led empowerment.”
In a recent rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the BJP government’s focus on enhancing women empowerment over the past decade. He emphasised the success of initiatives like the Jan Dhan Yojana, which has enabled millions of women to open bank accounts. Additionally, he noted that over the last 10 years, more than 10 crore women have joined Self Help Groups, transforming many village women into financially independent “Lakhpati Didis” (millionaire sisters).
How has voting pattern changed in the last 10 years?
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party garnered support from 19 per cent male voters and 19 per cent female voters, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured votes from 33 per cent male voters and 29 per cent female voters.
Fast forward to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, and there was a notable increase in these percentages. The Congress party received votes from 19 per cent male voters and 20 per cent female voters, while the BJP saw a significant rise, garnering support from 36 per cent male voters and 39 per cent female voters.
“Mahila Arakshan Bill” gives women 1/3rd seats in Loksabha and Vidhansabha. In both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) included women’s reservation in its election manifesto. With the introduction of the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2023, this move is expected to have a significant impact on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, especially in the 160 constituencies where the percentage of women voters exceeded that of men.
Several reforms introduced by the Narendra Modi government, such as the abolition of Triple Talaq, initiatives like Lady Without Mehram (LWM), and efforts to improve education for Muslim women, have started to show positive effects, even amongst women voters from Muslim areas. One significant outcome of these reforms was witnessed during Haj-2023, where the Government of India, for the first time, permitted single eligible women to apply under the LWM (Lady Without Mehram) category. This decision led to a record-breaking participation of women, with more than 4000 successful female applicants in Haj 2023. This move has not only boosted their confidence but also enhanced their personal freedom and social mobility.
In conclusion, the increasing influence of women in Indian politics is a significant development that highlights the evolving nature of democracy in the country. The rise of the female voter as a pivotal force has not only changed the electoral dynamics but also led to a greater focus on women-centric issues by political parties. As the country prepares for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the role of women in shaping the political landscape cannot be overstated. Their participation and voting patterns will not only impact the outcome of the elections but also pave the way for a more inclusive and representative democracy. It is imperative for political parties to recognise the importance of women voters and address their concerns and aspirations in order to win their trust and support. Ultimately, empowering women politically is not just a matter of electoral strategy but a crucial step towards building a more equitable and democratic society.
