In the lead-up to the elections, every party has been promising women voters cash and freebies. AAP has promised Rs 2,100 under its Mahila Samman Yojna, while BJP has promised Rs 2,500 under the Mahila Samriddhi Yojna, Rs 21,000 for pregnant women, and increased pensions for widows. Congress, too, has promised Rs 2,500 through its Pyaari Didi Yojana. PM Narendra Modi said women would start receiving Rs 2,500 by International Women’s Day, while AAP has also distributed forms among women, promising the cash rollout.
Seema, a voter near Gole Market, told TOI, “I will vote for the one who promises more money, but also resolves basic issues.”
For Parveen, a voter from Ballimaran, the incumbent government’s performance has earned her trust. “We have seen the party fulfilling the promises in the past. We believe it will fulfil promises in the future too,” she said.
Although promises have caught the attention of women, especially in JJ clusters, not everyone is interested in short-term offers. Many women feel that real change is needed, not just freebies.For many women, everyday concerns have become a priority. In polling booths across Delhi, safety remained a key issue. “We don’t go out after dark,” said Samya, 19, at a polling booth near Maujpur. Pia, 22, from Dwarka, expressed a similar concern: “The kind of reputation Delhi carries is different from other metros like Mumbai or Bengaluru. What’s the use of making bus rides cheaper if we don’t feel safe while travelling to that bus stop?”Ruby, a voter at Greater Kailash’s polling booth, spoke about her worries over safety. “It’s pathetic. Nikalne ka haal hi nahi hai (The situation is not such that you can step out),” she said.
For others like Saroj, 47, a housewife, the challenges go beyond safety. “Inflation, jobs, and necessities are still issues needing a solution beyond freebies,” she said.
A group of five women in Mandawali—Veena Rana (45), Laxmi Negi (47), Soni Kumari (40), Aarti Rawat (37), and Hema Negi (47)—shared their views with TOI after voting. “We don’t want handouts, we want jobs and real development,” one of them said.
For Reena Goswami, 48, from Lado Sarai, her main concerns are cleanliness, water, and the water bill. “You can see garbage dumped in every lane. We do not receive water regularly, especially during summer,” she said.
Women from various areas voiced their frustrations with unmet promises and long-standing issues. “In my area, the lanes are in poor condition and during the rainy season, mosquitoes breed in stagnant water,” said Kamlesh Popli, who added, “I voted thinking about these issues.”
In the previous Assembly election, women in Delhi largely voted for AAP, as they benefited from schemes like free travel in DTC and cluster buses. However, BJP launched a sustained campaign accusing AAP of making alcohol easily available through its now-shelved liquor policy, creating a negative perception of AAP among women voters.
“My vote is for change,” said 29-year-old Gudia, a resident of Trilokpuri. She believes that alcohol prohibition is key, as it has had a devastating effect on many households. “Though my single vote may seem like a drop in the ocean, when women come together, they can usher in a sea of change,” she added.
Inputs from TOI
