Indian Political Parties Target Women Voters with Cash Handouts Ahead of Elections

New Delhi, Nov 13(Reuters) – Indian political parties are increasingly offering cash handouts to women voters as elections approach. This move comes as inflation rises and unemployment remains high in the country, with parties hoping to win over women voters, who now make up a larger share of the electorate.

Over the past decade, more women have been voting, which has narrowed the gender gap. In response, both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition parties have announced or planned cash payments to women in several states.

In October, inflation hit a 14-month high, and unemployment is still at 8.9%. To address these issues, state governments are spending more on financial handouts for women, but it is putting pressure on state budgets.

According to Axis Bank, the handout programs across about a third of India’s states will cost the government roughly 2 trillion rupees ($23.7 billion) each year, or 0.6% of the country’s GDP. Many states are running higher deficits and cutting back on other spending to fund these programs.

For example, in Jharkhand, a poor state, the government raised its monthly payout to 5 million women from 1,000 rupees ($12) to 2,500 rupees ($30) after the BJP promised 2,100 rupees in another state. The Congress party, which is part of the opposition in Jharkhand, said these cash promises are often used by parties to gain votes ahead of elections, even if they are not always delivered.