During the 2024 West Bengal assembly race, both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP have made direct cash‑transfer promises to women voters.[1]

The focus on women matters because they comprise roughly half of the electorate and have swung previous state contests; securing their support could tip the tightly fought poll in either direction.[1]

The BJP’s manifesto lists a monthly ₹3,000 transfer for women, a promise highlighted in its campaign rollout.[3] Another BJP statement mentions a ₹2,000 per‑month payment for women heads of families and a one‑time ₹10,000 assistance to every household, indicating a range of ₹2,000‑₹3,000 monthly support for women and additional lump‑sum aid.[4]

The Trinamool Congress touts its “Lakshmir Bhandar” scheme, which offers cash assistance to women, though the exact amount has not been disclosed in the party’s public materials.[1]

Both parties are using cash incentives to court women voters—a strategy that has become common across Indian elections, reflecting a broader trend of targeting women with direct financial benefits to boost turnout and loyalty, analysts say the approach could raise questions about fiscal sustainability and the politicization of welfare.[2]

“Women voters are being courted with direct cash promises.”

The emphasis on cash transfers signals that parties view women as a decisive voting bloc in West Bengal; if the promises sway enough voters, they could determine the election outcome, while also setting a precedent for future campaigns to hinge on direct financial inducements.