Congress Enters Cash-for-Women Scheme Competition with ‘Pyari Didi Yojana’

To counter Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Mahila Samman Yojana, which promises financial aid of ₹1,000 per month to women in Delhi (to be increased to ₹2,100 if re-elected), Congress announced its own Pyari Didi Yojana ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections. This scheme pledges ₹2,500 per month to women, marking a significant escalation in women-centric welfare promises.

Such schemes reflect a growing trend across Indian states where political parties focus on women-centric cash assistance programs as key electoral strategies. These initiatives have often influenced poll outcomes significantly.

A Look at Women-Centric Cash Assistance Schemes Across States

Andhra Pradesh

The state pioneered women-centric cash aid with the YSR Cheyutha scheme, launched in August 2020 under the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government. The program promised ₹75,000 over four years to women aged 45–60 from marginalized communities. Despite this, the YSRCP lost to the TDP-BJP-JanaSena alliance in the 2024 elections.

West Bengal

In February 2021, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) introduced the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme, providing ₹1,200 monthly to SC/ST women and ₹1,000 to others. This scheme boosted TMC’s performance in both the 2021 Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Madhya Pradesh

Former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the Ladli Behna Yojana in 2023, offering ₹1,250 monthly to women aged 23–60. The scheme played a pivotal role in the BJP’s surprising third consecutive term in the Assembly polls.

Himachal Pradesh

Ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections, Congress announced ₹1,000 monthly for women under the Indira Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi. Despite the promise, Congress lost all four Lok Sabha seats in 2024.

Punjab

AAP pledged ₹1,000 per month for women before the 2022 Assembly elections but couldn’t implement it due to fiscal constraints. CM Bhagwant Mann later reiterated the promise ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Jharkhand

The Maiyya Samman Yojana, introduced by the JMM government in 2023, provided ₹1,000 monthly to women from the Antyodaya category. Hemant Soren later pledged to increase this to ₹2,500 per month, helping JMM secure a consecutive term in 2024.

Karnataka

Congress’s Gruha Lakshmi Scheme, part of its six guarantees during the 2023 Assembly elections, provides ₹2,000 monthly to BPL women. The scheme contributed to Congress’s improved performance in the Lok Sabha polls.

Tamil Nadu

In September 2023, the DMK launched a scheme offering ₹1,000 monthly to women with annual household incomes under ₹2.5 lakh. This move helped the DMK-led alliance sweep all 39 Lok Sabha seats.

Chhattisgarh

The BJP launched the Mahtari Vandan Yojana in 2024, offering ₹1,000 monthly to women above 21. The scheme bolstered BJP’s Lok Sabha performance in the state.

Maharashtra

The Mazhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched in 2024 by the Eknath Shinde government, provides ₹1,500 monthly aid to women with annual household incomes under ₹2.5 lakh. The Opposition promised ₹3,000 under the same scheme, leading to a heated contest.

Odisha

The BJP introduced the Subhadra Yojana during its 2024 election campaign, promising ₹50,000 over five years to women aged 21–60. Following its victory, the scheme was launched in September 2024.

These schemes showcase how political parties are leveraging women-centric financial programs as a strategic tool to influence elections. In Delhi, the competition between AAP and Congress is expected to intensify as both parties bet big on similar promises to secure women’s votes.