Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Uttar Pradesh Welfare Politics Intensifies BJP-SP-BSP Election Battle
Political parties in Uttar Pradesh are trying to win support from young people and women before the 2027 election.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the government would give jobs to one lakh young people in six months.
The BJP also pointed to its record of government appointments and startups.
The government announced free bus travel for older women and special travel benefits around Raksha Bandhan.
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav promised yearly financial support for vulnerable women if his party takes power.
His party also proposed laptops, bicycles, housing and other services for women and girls.
Mayawati questioned whether these announcements were mainly meant to influence voters.
She said real progress also requires fair recruitment, reservations, safety and dignity.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath promised appointment letters for one lakh young people within six months.
The BJP cited more than 9.30 lakh government appointments in Uttar Pradesh over nine years, along with 24,000 startup platforms.
Adityanath launched free state-bus travel for women aged 60 and above, with additional Raksha Bandhan travel benefits.
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav proposed annual payments of Rs 40,000 to underprivileged and vulnerable women if his party wins in 2027.
Mayawati said welfare promises must be accompanied by employment, reservation, safety, dignity and self-reliance.
- Who
- The Bharatiya Janata Party government, the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party, young voters and women voters in Uttar Pradesh.
- What
- The parties are competing with job promises, women-focused welfare schemes and different claims about employment, safety and empowerment.
- When
- The announcements were made ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections scheduled for 2027; the articles say the elections were less than six months away at the time of the youth jobs announcement.
- Where
- Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Why
- Youth and women make up important parts of Uttar Pradesh’s electorate, prompting parties to compete over welfare and empowerment policies.
Government and BJP Claims
Opposition Critiques and Proposals
Timing of job promises
Government and BJP Claims
The BJP said the promise of one lakh appointments should be judged against its record of providing more than 9.30 lakh government jobs and supporting startups.
Opposition Critiques and Proposals
Mayawati questioned whether the announcement was an electoral manoeuvre and pointed to protests over recruitment irregularities and the backlog of reserved vacancies.
Women’s welfare and safety
Government and BJP Claims
The BJP presented free bus travel, Mission Shakti and the 1090 helpline as parts of its women-focused welfare, mobility and safety agenda.
Opposition Critiques and Proposals
Mayawati alleged that women faced insecurity, neglect and humiliation, while Akhilesh Yadav emphasized financial support, mobility, education, housing and legal assistance.
Welfare versus structural solutions
Government and BJP Claims
The BJP emphasized welfare delivery, government appointments, safety programs and an expanding startup ecosystem.
Opposition Critiques and Proposals
The BSP argued that welfare benefits cannot replace employment, reservation, safety, dignity and self-reliance; the SP framed its proposals as economic and social empowerment for PDA groups.
- Promised appointments
- One lakh young people are to receive appointment letters within six months.
- Reported government appointments
- The BJP said more than 9.30 lakh young people received government jobs during its nine years in office in Uttar Pradesh.
- Startup platforms
- The Uttar Pradesh government said the state has more than 24,000 startup platforms for young people.
- Women voters
- Uttar Pradesh has 6.09 crore women voters, representing 45.46% of its electorate.
- Young voters
- The Election Commission listed 17.63 lakh voters aged 18 to 19.
- SP women’s proposal
- The proposed Stree Samman Samriddhi Yojana would provide Rs 40,000 annually to every underprivileged and vulnerable woman in Uttar Pradesh.
- Free bus travel
- Women aged 60 and above were promised free travel on state buses, while women could travel free with one co-passenger from August 27 to 29 for Raksha Bandhan.