Kolkata
With a pronounced presence in recent elections, women voters, comprising almost 50 percent of West Bengal’s electorate, have emerged as a crucial demographic that all political factions are endeavoring to court ahead of the parliamentary polls. As per the latest data from the Election Commission, West Bengal houses 3.73 crore women voters, slightly fewer than the 3.85 crore registered male voters. However, there has been a notable uptick in the registration of new women voters, with their numbers rising by 9.8 percent between 2019 and 2024. Interestingly, during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, women exhibited a higher voter turnout than men, with 81.79 percent of women casting their ballots compared to 81.35 percent of men. Data further indicated that in 17 out of the state’s 42 Lok Sabha constituencies, women had a higher voter turnout than men. Political parties are keenly aware of the voting patterns and the influence wielded by women voters. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has historically enjoyed the support of women voters, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, owing partly to Mamata Banerjee’s leadership. In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has faced challenges in resonating with women voters, despite initiatives like the Ujjwala Scheme and Swachh Bharat Mission. While the BJP seeks to expand its appeal among women, critics contend that the party’s ideology is incongruent with women’s empowerment. In the electoral landscape, Bengal’s women voters are segmented into categories such as minorities, general, subaltern, and SC-ST women, with the TMC and BJP vying for their allegiance in the upcoming elections.
