As Maharashtra awaits the results of its assembly elections, the remarkable rise in women voter turnout has become a focal point. According to the Election Commission of India, 65.21% of women participated in the 2024 polls, a significant jump from 59.62% in 2019. This marks a narrowing of the gender turnout gap to 1.63 percentage points, down from 3.15 points in the previous election. The overall voter turnout in the state stood at 66.05%, with 6.40 crore of the 9.70 crore registered voters casting their ballots. Among these, 3.34 crore were men and 3.06 crore women, alongside 1,810 transgender voters.
The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is optimistic that its women-centric welfare schemes, particularly the Ladki Bahin Yojana, will secure their support. This program has already transferred Rs 17,000 crore to 2.31 crore beneficiaries, providing monthly aid of Rs 1,500 directly to women. The opposition, initially critical, has adopted a similar scheme in their manifesto with enhanced benefits. The Mahayuti, if re-elected, plans to raise the monthly amount to Rs 2,100. Other initiatives like the Lek Ladki Yojana offer financial support for girls from birth to college, while the Mahila Samman Yojana ensures a 50% concession on state transport buses for women.
The Ladki Bahin Yojana is just one of the numerous welfare programs targeting women across age groups. For girls, the Lek Ladki Yojana disburses Rs 18,000 in stages for medical expenses, education, and nutrition. Young women entering college are provided Rs 75,000 under the scheme, with additional support for professional courses. Women aged 18 to 65 receive Rs 1,500 monthly through the Ladki Bahin Yojana. Senior women are also covered with pensions of Rs 1,500 and annual allowances of Rs 3,000.
The state has also launched initiatives to promote women’s health, self-reliance, and entrepreneurship. Programs like Lakhpati Didi support start-ups, while pink autorickshaws empower women drivers. The Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana, offering three free gas cylinders annually, and the central government’s Ujjwala Yojana have further strengthened women’s welfare efforts.
The BJP is confident that these schemes, combined with central initiatives like the Women’s Reservation Bill and Swachh Bharat, which emphasized building toilets, will resonate with female voters. The party’s strategy mirrors its past successes in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where similar programs proved pivotal. As the final votes are tallied, all eyes remain on the decisive role of women in shaping Maharashtra’s political future.
