Thane city experienced a significant rise in women voter turnout in the 2024 elections, with notable surges in Mahayuti-dominated constituencies, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Kopri-Pachpakhadi seat. However, the neighboring Kalwa-Mumbra constituency, an MVA stronghold, witnessed a comparatively modest increase, sparking discussions on the effectiveness of political outreach efforts.
Women Voter Turnout on the Rise
In Kopri-Pachpakhadi, CM Eknath Shinde’s constituency, the women voter turnout climbed from 47% in 2019 to an impressive 60.4% in 2024. Of the 1.6 lakh registered women voters, 96,176 cast their votes on election day, marking a 13% rise. This surge highlights a successful mobilization campaign by the Mahayuti alliance, possibly bolstered by the Ladki Bahin scheme, which appears to have resonated with women voters.
Similarly, Thane constituency, represented by BJP’s Sanjay Kelkar, saw women voter participation increase from 49.8% in 2019 to 60.8% in 2024. The Ovala-Majiwada constituency, where Shiv Sena’s Pratap Sarnaik is contesting, also recorded a notable rise in women voter turnout, jumping from 40.5% to 52.5%.
Kalwa-Mumbra: A Modest Uptick
In contrast, the Kalwa-Mumbra constituency, represented by MVA’s Jitendra Awhad, showed a more modest increase. Women voter turnout rose from 47.8% in 2019 to 52.3% in 2024. Despite the MVA’s Mahalakshmi plan aimed at attracting women voters, it seems the initiative failed to generate the same traction as the Mahayuti’s efforts.
The Impact of Outreach Schemes
Political analysts attribute the success in Mahayuti strongholds to targeted initiatives like the Ladki Bahin scheme, which directly appealed to women voters by addressing their concerns and offering tangible benefits. In contrast, the Mahalakshmi plan by the MVA struggled to gain widespread acceptance, which could explain the comparatively lower rise in women voter participation in their stronghold.
Changing Dynamics in Thane
The sharp increase in women voter turnout across key Mahayuti seats reflects a shifting political dynamic in Thane. As women emerge as a decisive electoral force, the effectiveness of voter-centric schemes will likely play an even greater role in shaping future political strategies.
With the rising participation of women voters, Thane’s political landscape is set for a dynamic transformation, underscoring the growing importance of inclusive and impactful voter outreach initiatives.
