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As per data from the Election Commission of India, 65.21% women voted in this election on November 20, compared to 59.62% in the last election in 2019—a hike of nearly five percentage points. In the 2019 polls, 61.55% men voted, and the number stands at…Read More
The Mahayuti government announced a women’s welfare scheme, Ladki Bahin Yojana, which has seen five instalments of aid being transferred directly into the accounts of women. (File image: PTI)
With multiple issues ruling the narrative in the Maharashtra assembly elections, one thing that may stand out as a major difference with the results to be announced on Saturday is which way the women voted. Both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi understand the value of this segment and have tried to lure female voters with a flurry of steps.
As per data from the Election Commission of India, 65.21% women voted in this election on November 20, compared to 59.62% in the last election in 2019—a hike of nearly five percentage points. In the 2019 polls, 61.55% men voted, and the number stands at 66.84% in 2024. In 2019, the difference in voter turnout between men and women was close to 3.15 percentage points. This number has significantly reduced to 1.63 percentage points this time.
According to the Election Commission, the overall voter turnout in the state stood at 66.05%, with 9.70 crore registered voters. Out of these, 6.40 crore voters cast their votes. Among them, 3.34 crore were men, and 3.06 crore were women voters. Additionally, 1,810 transgender voters also participated in the electoral process, showcasing an improvement in turnout among all demographics.
Voting trends and highlights in Maharashtra
• Overall voter turnout: 66.05%
• Highest turnout: Karveer constituency, 84.96%
• Lowest turnout: Colaba constituency, 44.44%
The difference in voter turnout between the two genders in the state of Maharashtra was a high 11.12 percentage points in 1962. It saw a sizeable drop for the first time in 1995, down to 2.04 percentage points, when the BJP first came to power in the state.
Ladki Bahin Yojana a game changer?
There is a reason why the Mahayuti is confident that the women’s vote will swing its way in this election. The government announced a women’s welfare scheme, Ladki Bahin Yojana, which has seen five instalments of aid being transferred directly into the accounts of women.
The scheme, initially criticised by the opposition, found a mention in their own manifesto with an increased amount of up to Rs 3,000. The ruling Mahayuti has promised to raise the amount from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 a month if it retains power. The state has already paid Rs 17,000 crore to its 2.31 crore beneficiaries.
Other schemes
This is not the only women-centric scheme of the Maharashtra government. There are schemes covering all age groups, from infants to senior citizens. The Lek Ladki Yojana covers girl children from infancy to the age of 14. Under the scheme, a total of Rs 18,000 is paid to the girl child in three instalments. The first instalment of Rs 5,000 is paid at the time of birth. The second of Rs 6,000 is between the ages of three and six, and the third instalment of Rs 7,000 is given when the child reaches the age of six to 14. The aim is to cover the medical expenses of birth and vaccinations. The second and third instalments cover primary and secondary education, including free midday meals. A fourth instalment of Rs 8,000 is paid at the time of admission to class 11.
Further, when the child reaches adulthood and is looking to get into college, an amount of Rs 75,000 is paid for education for the 18-21 age group. Apart from this, assistance to seek admission to any professional course is also ensured under this scheme.
A 10-day camp was also organised to focus on the importance of women’s health.
Covering women from the age of 18 to 65 is the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which provides assistance of Rs 1,500 per month.
Apart from this, women are also eligible to get a 50% concession on state transport buses under the Mahila Samman Yojana.
Other state schemes provide assistance for weddings, participation in self-help groups, Lakhpati Didi for start-up entrepreneurs, assistance for single women, and also programmes for the health and welfare of mother and child.
For women over 65, a monthly pension of Rs 1,500 and an allowance of Rs 3,000 per year have also been ensured by the state government.
For the empowerment of women, the state is promoting the use of pink autorickshaws.
The Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana provides three gas cylinders to women annually across the state.
While the opposition is targeting the Mahayuti government for doling out freebies such as the Ladki Bahin Yojana, the scheme is a hit among the public, especially women. The programme was first started by the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh, which led to a successful campaign and poll victory there, and even in Chhattisgarh, where it was offered in a different form.
It is not just the state government, but the work done by the Narendra Modi government at the Centre for women’s empowerment has also been a hit with this section of society.
The BJP is confident that women will vote for its alliance because the Modi government at the Centre was also able to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament, which was only talked about by other political parties.
In the past too, providing respect to women by building toilets and giving gas connections under the Ujjwala Yojana has yielded political benefits for the saffron party not just in state polls but also in the Lok Sabha elections.
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