Across recent state elections, parties have leveraged women-centric welfare schemes to strengthen their political standing and influence voting behaviour.
In states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, these schemes empower women to secure their futures while blunting opposition narratives.
Union government initiatives, including Jan Dhan Yojana, Lakhpati Didi, Mudra Yojana, Drone Didi, Bima Sakhi, and Bank Didi, also benefit women nationwide.
The National Commission for Women lists 40 ministries under the Modi-led NDA government offering women-specific programmes.
State governments complement these efforts with their own schemes.
In Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s government launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana. The scheme enables women to start their own businesses.
Uniform and scholarship schemes for girls from backward and economically weaker families further strengthened women’s empowerment.
Analysts attribute these measures to a key factor behind the NDA’s pro-incumbency performance in Bihar.
In Madhya Pradesh, former Chief Minister and current Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan earned the affectionate moniker “Mama” for empowering women.
Programs like Ladli Laxmi Yojana, Kanyadaan Yojana, and Ladli Behna Yojana provided financial support, mass marriage aid, and monthly grants, significantly improving women’s and children’s lives while boosting political goodwill.
Current schemes, such as Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana and Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Yojana, promote leadership and productivity among women farmers.
Maharashtra’s BJP-led government also emphasised women’s welfare through Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, providing monthly direct transfers, amplifying visibility during campaigns.
Naming and consistently distributing benefits, like “Ladli Behna” or “Ladki Bahin,” reinforces political outreach.
These programs create community engagement rituals and strengthen local party networks.
Women-focused schemes produce organisational gains by mobilising self-help groups and anganwadi workers. Local leaders act as intermediaries between the state and voters.
In rural and semi-urban areas, these initiatives translate into higher voter turnout and pro-incumbency support.
Reports indicate that Bihar’s model may inspire West Bengal’s Trinamool Congress to expand its “Lakshmir Bhandar” scheme for women ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
This shows how welfare schemes continue to shape electoral strategy nationwide.
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