Samajwadi Party, BJP battle for women’s votes in UP: How it is playing out

As the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections draw nearer, the contest is increasingly focused on winning the votes of women, who make up nearly half of the state's electorate. The Samajwadi Party (SP) chief, Akhilesh Yadav, has announced an annual cash benefit of Rs 40,000 for women from families below the poverty line if the SP returns to power.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on the other hand, is considering a similar scheme itself, with reports suggesting a cash benefit of Rs 20,000 for women in similar circumstances.

This shift in election strategy highlights the recognition of women as a distinct and influential electoral constituency. Women constitute 45.46% of the state's 13.39 crore registered voters. Political parties are now treating women not merely as beneficiaries of welfare schemes, but as a separate constituency with their own expectations and demands.

The BJP's proposed cash transfer scheme for women is part of a broader political narrative centered around welfare delivery, particularly schemes that reach households directly. For the SP, the move to announce a higher annual benefit of Rs 40,000 per woman is a strategic counter to the BJP's offer. By doing so, Akhilesh Yadav has established his party's benchmark for women's demands, thereby putting the BJP in a politically challenging position.

If the BJP raises its offer, it risks being seen as inadequate by the SP; if it lowers the amount, the election could become a contest over the size of welfare commitments.

This trend of using cash benefits as an electoral tool is not limited to Uttar Pradesh. Across other states, political parties have increasingly adopted direct cash transfers to women as part of their election strategy. Examples include Karnataka's Gruha Lakshmi scheme, Maharashtra's Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, and West Bengal's Lakshmir Bhandar increase. However, implementing these schemes has proven difficult, with registration, technical, and payment issues arising in various states.

The 2022 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh saw the SP fielding 155 women candidates out of the total 559 contestants, while the BJP fielded only 45 women candidates. However, the SP's success in women's representation did not translate into electoral dividends, with the party winning only 12 out of the 155 contested seats. The BJP, on the other hand, emerged as the principal beneficiary among the winning women candidates.

The SP's approach to women's votes in the upcoming elections suggests a shift towards a more direct and economic proposition, reflecting the broader political landscape where cash transfers have gained prominence. By positioning itself as a provider of higher benefits, the SP aims to create a more immediate connection between women beneficiaries and the government, thereby strengthening its electoral appeal.