Rethinking the woman voter: A growing force reshaping India's politics

In Bihar Nitish Kumar has reaped a huge dividend from the votes of women over the years, especially from low-income groups

It looks, at first blush, like an exciting new winning political formula. Empower women — with cash grants, free transport, and safety both in public places and within the family — and the votes will come pouring in. The central premise is that female voters no longer vote as directed by the male members of the family. Instead, they have emerged as independent-thinking entities who vote driven by considerations of employment, financial autonomy, welfare of the family and — dare we say it — personal ambition.

 

It is hard to ignore the evidence. In Bihar Nitish Kumar has reaped a