There is a strategic realignment visible in the way parties are bucking anti-incumbency and getting reelected by focusing on women-oriented schemes. The return of Mahayuti in Maharashtra and JMM in Jharkhand are two examples of how women-oriented schemes have played a key role in turning the tide in favor of these parties.

Majhi Laadki Bahin Yojana - Maharashtra

The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance has achieved phenomenal success in the Maharashtra Assembly elections by decisively decimating the UBT, Sharad Pawar's faction of NCP, and Congress. Credit is being given to PM Modi’s call of “Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain,” but a large section believes that the Shinde government's scheme, Majhi Laadki Bahin Yojana, has also played an important role in mobilizing women voters in favor of the Mahayuti.

The scheme promises to pay Rs 2,100 per month to women beneficiaries. Till now, under the scheme, women have been receiving Rs 1,500 per month in their bank accounts. The alliance had promised that if voted to power, they would increase the amount to Rs 2,100 per month.

It is interesting to note that this time in Maharashtra, a 66% voter turnout was witnessed, the highest in 30 years. Reports indicated that women were excited to vote and came out in large numbers. As a result, their voter turnout rose from 59.26% in the 2019 assembly elections to 65.21% this time.

Given the larger participation of women voters, which means their decisive vote was cast, it is being safely assumed that the Laadki Bahin Yojana motivated these women to vote in favor of the ruling alliance.

The opposition also focused on women-oriented schemes as part of their poll promises. The Congress party had committed to launching Mahalakshmi Yojana, under which they planned to give Rs 3,000 per month to women beneficiaries, along with free bus travel. Although they lost this election badly, it is crystal clear that both alliances were counting on women, in addition to other factors, to win the election.

Maiya Samman Yojana - Jharkhand

Among other factors, including the way CM Hemant Soren was jailed earlier this year and how the BJP played the narrative of infiltration, PM Modi’s call of protecting "Roti, Mati, Beti" paved the way for Hemant Soren’s return. His government’s Maiya Samman Yojana is also being credited for JMM’s win in the assembly election.

Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to eligible women. The beneficiaries receive Rs 12,000 per year, with a monthly payment of Rs 1,000. Just a day before the Election Commission declared the model code of conduct, Soren increased the benefit of the scheme from Rs 1,000 per month to Rs 2,500 per month, further strengthening his grip on women voters.

BJP, which was desperate to form the government, had promised the Gogo-Didi Yojana, under which it offered Rs 2,100 per month to women voters.

Ladli Behan Yojana - Madhya Pradesh

In recent years, Madhya Pradesh set the trend for such women-oriented schemes. The then CM of MP, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, started Ladli Behan Yojana, which became a game changer in electoral politics.

Launched in 2023, the scheme offered Rs 1,000 per month to eligible women. After BJP once again successfully thwarted anti-incumbency in December 2023, the credit was given to this scheme. Other states followed suit, launching their own women-oriented schemes.

Indira Gandhi Smartphone Yojana - Rajasthan

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In Rajasthan, the then CM Ashok Gehlot launched the Indira Gandhi Smartphone Yojana, under which eligible women beneficiaries were given smartphones. In the first phase, around 40 lakh women were targeted to receive smartphones with free internet. However, Congress lost the elections.