Ladki Bahin Yojana helps to swing some women voters, fails to move others from their political inclination

“I have been receiving Rs 1,500 as a beneficiary of the govetnment scheme but I am not the only one as all eligible are getting it. Thus, I need not change my politicial inclination. We only vote for the candidate who is available during our difficult times,” said 56-year-old Suruma Mahanta, who works a labourer in a bidi factory in Solapur.

In Sangli, Ujjwala Gholap, a 43-year-old tailor, said the state government’s Ladki Bahin scheme has been floated keeping women voters in mind but women are more smart. “I am taking benefit of the scheme as I am eligible for it.
This scheme is not going to make much of a change in my life as my main concern is to have a stream of income that will give me a sense of pride and not depend on such freebies,” she says.

Surekha Kadam from Kolhapur said those who launched the Ladki Bahin scheme are taking women voters for granted and saying whatever is coming to their mind. “It is a government scheme…It is not the money of political leaders or parties,” she said.

Megha Nikam, a resident of Satara, said the Ladki Bahin Yojana has helped change the approach of men towards women in their family. “The money might not have made me well off but it ensures that I dont have to depend on anyone for my personal expenses. It has brought a sense of pride,” said Nikam adding this will definately play a role on who she is going to vote for during the polling that will be held on November 20.

For Sushila Shinde from Pune, the Ladki Bahin scheme has impacted her decision. “The money I am getting through the scheme has helped me plan for a better future. I am using this money to start a small business so that I can increase my earning,” she says.

Incidentally, the Maha Vikas Aghadi too has announced doubling of financial assistance under the scheme if it comes to power while the Mahayuti has assured of increasing the monthly allowance under the Ladki Bahin Yojana.