Odisha Elections 2024: Women Voters And Political Strategies Unveiled

Odisha's elections are crucial as women voters play a key role. Naveen Patnaik has ruled for 24 years, mainly due to strong support from women voters for the BJD. This time, the BJP aims to win both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha.

Odisha has 1.69 crore male and 1.64 crore female voters this year. The elections began on May 13, with voting in four Lok Sabha seats. According to the Election Commission, 75.7% voted in these seats. Women had a turnout of 76.1%, while men had 75.3%.

A year after coming to power in 2001, Naveen Patnaik's government launched 'Mission Shakti'. This scheme provides interest-free loans to women's self-help groups (SHGs) for economic activities and livelihood. This initiative has been a major strength for the BJD.

70 lakh women are part of these SHGs, forming a strong support base for Patnaik. For two and a half decades, these women have been loyal BJD voters. This time, the BJD promises pensions for SHG members above 60 if they win again.

The support BJD gets from women is evident in their rallies and roadshows. Voting is done for about half of the seats in two phases for Odisha's 21 Lok Sabha and 147 Assembly seats. The remaining seats will be voted on May 25 and June 1.

The BJD is confident that with the support of SHG members, they will remain in power. A BJD leader said the BJP cannot perform well unless they break into BJD's women's base. The party admits that women are their biggest supporters.

Besides Mission Shakti, the Naveen government has ensured 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj and urban bodies. Under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, women get health care up to Rs 10 lakh. The party has also given tickets to 35 women in this election, compared to 19 last time.

To counter this, BJP has introduced 'Subhadra Yojana'. Under this scheme, women will get Rs 50,000 in two years if BJP comes to power. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentions this scheme in every meeting.

BJP is also distributing cards asking women to enter their details to avail benefits of this scheme. Additionally, BJP promises to create industrial clusters for every 500 SHGs by 2027, aiming to create 25 lakh 'Lakhpatti Didis'.

The Election Commission has transferred the wife of Odisha CM's close aide VK Pandian from the Mission Shakti department as well. However, Pandian claims no 'freebie' can break the bond between women and Naveen Patnaik.

BJP also aims to attract tribal voters, especially women. Odisha's tribal population is 22.85%, the third highest in India. Out of 21 Lok Sabha seats, five are reserved for Scheduled Tribes; out of 147 Assembly constituencies, 34 are reserved.

BJP's key strategy involves President Draupadi Murmu, India's first female tribal president who is Odia and tribal. The tribal belt has been a stronghold of the ruling party but now BJP eyes it.

In July 2022, Murmu became President. PM Modi said his government ensured a 'tribal daughter' became President. In Gujarat Assembly elections in December that year, BJP succeeded in tribal areas where Congress had dominated.

During Chhattisgarh Assembly elections in November 2023, PM Modi urged voters to punish Congress for opposing Murmu's candidature. BJP made a comeback after five years.

In rallies in Nabarangpur and Berhampur this month, PM Modi highlighted giving India its first tribal president from Odisha. He expressed confidence in developing Odisha under her guidance.