By Akansha Deshmukh
As the dust settles on the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections, one quiet yet transformative trend stands out: the remarkable surge in the number of women voters. Against a backdrop of political alliances and divisive campaigns, women turned out in unprecedented numbers, their collective voice shaping the narrative of the state’s future.
The data tells the story. Female voter turnout rose from 59.26% in 2019 to 65.21% in 2024, an increase of nearly six percentage points. This jump was not confined to Mumbai or the cosmopolitan satellite towns of Thane and Navi Mumbai. It was felt equally—if not more strongly—in tribal regions like Palghar, where the turnout among women surged by nine percentage points, and in other deeply rural districts across the state.
This shift was not accidental. Political analysts and insiders point to the Ladki Bahin Yojana, a state government initiative that has deposited ₹1,500 per month into women’s bank accounts over the last six months. The programme, championed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance government, was credited with giving women from economically disadvantaged sections of society both financial independence and a sense of political agency. By polling day, its impact was clear: women were not just recipients of state benefits—they had become decisive players in the electoral arena.
“This is a landmark moment,” said Manisha Kayande, a Shiv Sena member of the Legislative Council (MLC). “Women are no longer just a demographic in need of outreach; they are a constituency in their own right.”
For the first time in decades, women voters in Maharashtra nearly matched men in turnout—65.21% to 66.84%, a mere 1.63 percentage points apart. This is the smallest gap between genders in the state’s electoral history and reflects a narrowing of disparities that, until recently, felt entrenched.
The turnout among women in Mumbai city increased by over six percentage points since the last Assembly elections, while nearby Thane district recorded an 11-point leap. The tribal district of Palghar saw women’s turnout exceed men’s, a striking reversal of traditional voting patterns.
“This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a cultural shift,” said Dr. Shalini Deshpande, a sociologist who studies gender and politics in India. “For decades, women’s participation in elections was limited by structural barriers—illiteracy, lack of mobility, patriarchal norms. What we’re seeing now is a slow but steady erosion of those barriers.”
However, the surge in women voters is not merely a story of empowerment—it is also one of political strategy. In campaign speeches and media blitzes, leaders from both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Opposition Maha Aghadi Vikas (MVA) alliance made overtures to women voters. The Ladki Bahin Yojana became a centrepiece of the ruling coalition’s messaging, with leaders warning that discontinuation of the scheme was a real risk if they were not returned to power.
The Opposition tried to counter this narrative by promising to double the monthly payout if elected but it may have underestimated the emotional and practical impact of the programme’s immediate benefits. As one Palghar voter put it, “The money in my account felt like proof that the government is finally thinking about us.”
For all its success, the Ladki Bahin Yojana has also sparked controversy. Critics have called it a “state-sponsored bribe” designed to manipulate voter behaviour. “This isn’t empowerment; it’s transactional politics,” said Supriya Sule, an Opposition leader. But Mahayuti leaders dismiss such critiques as sour grapes. “The women of Maharashtra have spoken,” said Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “And their voices have carried us to victory.”
Yet, the story does not end with the election results. The question now is what this newfound political power will mean for women voters. Will their demands shape policies beyond tokenism? Will they expect—and receive—representation in decision-making structures?
“What Maharashtra needs is to sustain this momentum,” said sociologist Deshpande. “If women can vote in record numbers, they can also organise, advocate, and demand accountability. This could be the beginning of a new era in Indian politics.”
For now, the quiet revolution of women voters in Maharashtra is a reminder of how democracy works best when it is inclusive. And as the state’s leaders take stock of their victories and defeats, one thing is clear: women are no longer just participants in Maharashtra’s democracy. They are its future.
What Does This Mean for Maharashtra’s Future?
As women voters surge to the forefront of Maharashtra’s political stage, the implications of their unprecedented turnout extend far beyond this election. Their collective voice, which redefined turnout and tipped electoral scales, has the potential to reshape the state’s political narrative fundamentally.
At the heart of this shift lies a question: Will this newfound influence translate into sustained policy changes, or will it remain a momentary spike in electoral engagement?
Historically, women in Indian politics have been courted as a homogenous bloc, often with promises centred on welfare schemes and subsidies. The 2024 elections in Maharashtra marked a significant shift in the political landscape, with women emerging as active participants rather than passive beneficiaries of state programmes. No longer content with simply receiving benefits, women are asserting their agency, demanding inclusion, and pushing for tangible results.
Recognising this shift, the ruling Mahayuti coalition strategically focused on women-centric policies, which proved decisive in securing their victory. Key initiatives, such as the Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana, offering financial aid for education and skill development, and the Ladki Bahin Yojana, providing ₹1,500 in direct cash transfers to women heads of households belonging to economically disadvantaged sections (with a promise to increase it to ₹2,100), resonated deeply with this category of female voters. These measures found strong support, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, creating a crucial voting bloc. Post-election analysis revealed that women voters played a pivotal role in the coalition’s success, especially in closely contested constituencies, highlighting the growing influence of women in shaping electoral outcomes.
For Maharashtra’s leaders, this new reality means that addressing women’s concerns is no longer optional—it is essential. Access to education, healthcare and financial independence will likely become even more central to political discourse. Women voters who have experienced the benefits of schemes like the Ladki Bahin Yojana will expect continuity and expansion, not rollback.
Women’s expectations extend beyond welfare. The turnout surge hints at a readiness to engage with broader issues: job creation, safety in urban and rural spaces and meaningful representation in governance. More women participated in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections, with women outnumbering men in voter turnout across at least 15 of the state’s 288 constituencies. This remarkable shift reflects the growing importance of women as a political force in the state.
The state government had launched several women-focused initiatives that evidently resonated with this demographic. While the Ladki Bahin Yojana offers ₹1,500 per month to women aged 18-65 (with ₹17,000 crore already distributed to 2.31 crore beneficiaries and the monthly amount now set to increase to Rs. 2,100), the Mahila Samman Yojana gives women a 50% discount on state transport fares.
Other impactful initiatives include the Lek Ladki Yojana, which provides financial support to girls from birth to 14 years, covering medical expenses, education, and vocational training, and offers ₹75,000 for higher education for the 18-21 age group. Additionally, the government supports women through schemes for weddings, self-help groups, entrepreneurship, and health, with tailored benefits for single and elderly women. The Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana, which provides three gas cylinders annually, further emphasises the state’s commitment to women’s welfare.
These programmes not only address immediate needs but also aim to empower women across Maharashtra. This is where the stakes are at their highest. Will Maharashtra’s political class rise to meet the aspirations of these women, or will they fall back on token gestures?
“It’s no longer just about schemes tailored for women,” said political analyst Sharda Pawar. “It’s about recognising women as a force that shapes the economy, social structures, and governance. Political parties will need to move from transactional politics to transformative policies.”
The election also sets a precedent for representation. Women may now demand a larger presence in decision-making roles—whether in state legislatures, panchayats, or political party hierarchies. Maharashtra’s political leaders will no doubt face mounting pressure to go beyond symbolic gestures like reserved seats and ensure that women hold positions of real power.
As women’s participation in voting continues to grow, it is evident that they will increasingly become a significant force in shaping the political landscape. Women are no longer passive participants; they are asserting their influence and agency in unprecedented ways. Looking ahead, this trend will likely lead to increased demands for representation in decision-making roles—as mentioned earlier, not just in the form of token reserved seats but in terms of real, meaningful positions in state legislatures, panchayats, and political parties. While current efforts may be seen as indicators of progress, the future will require political leaders to move beyond symbolic measures and grant women genuine power and influence.
The disparity between women voters’ growing political agency and their underrepresentation as candidates and elected officials highlights the work that remains. In the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections, only 8% of candidates were women. The new Assembly includes just 22 women MLAs, making up a mere 7.6% of all legislators—a decline from 24 in the previous Assembly. This imbalance is not within women’s control but reflects the persistent reluctance of political parties to prioritise female representation. Addressing this disparity will require a fundamental shift in mindset, with political parties actively promoting women leaders and dismantling structural barriers.
Women-centric policies have already proven their potential to mobilize this crucial voting bloc. The success of the Ladki Bahna Yojana clearly played a pivotal role in the recent elections. The BJP is reportedly planning to replicate similar initiatives in other states, including Delhi, in future elections. This strategy mirrors that of the Congress government in Karnataka, which introduced several women-oriented schemes after its 2023 Assembly election victory. While such policies have been effective in addressing immediate needs, they must be accompanied by broader systemic reforms that ensure women are not only seen as voters but empowered as leaders driving change.
The growing participation of women in elections marks a pivotal moment for Indian democracy. Political parties must seize this opportunity to break from tradition and embrace women’s leadership—not just as an electoral necessity but as a path to a more inclusive and equitable political system.
For the Opposition, the message is clear: winning back this demographic will require more than promises. It will take sustained engagement, a deeper understanding of women’s evolving priorities, and concrete measures to address issues that resonate with them.
The broader impact could reverberate through the socio-political fabric of the state. When women vote in large numbers, they inspire confidence in others who may have felt excluded till now—young voters, marginalised communities, and first-time participants. The ripple effects could usher in a more inclusive and participatory democracy in Maharashtra.
Ultimately, the rise of women voters in Maharashtra is a challenge and an opportunity for its political leaders. It signals a shift in the state’s priorities and offers a chance to build a more equitable and responsive governance model. As one young voter in Pune succinctly put it: “We’ve shown that we’re here, we care, and we’ll hold them accountable.”
Maharashtra’s future may well rest on whether or not the state’s political leaders listen.
Akansha Deshmukh is an independent investigative journalist covering serious crime, cyberspace, terrorism and political corruption.
