Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Uttar Pradesh Parties Target Women Voters With Welfare Promises
Political parties in Uttar Pradesh are making promises aimed at women before the Assembly election.
The Samajwadi Party says it would give needy women ₹40,000 each year if it returns to power.
The BJP government has announced scooters for 50,000 women students.
It also plans free bus travel for women over 60.
Women and their companions can also ride buses free during Raksha Bandhan.
Pay and medical benefits for women who cook school meals have been increased.
BJP leaders criticized the Samajwadi Party’s record on women’s safety.
A journalist said women and young people may strongly influence the election.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav promised women ₹40,000 annually through the proposed Stri Samman Samriddhi Yojana.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced scooters for 50,000 women college students.
Adityanath also announced free bus travel for women over 60 and temporary free travel during Raksha Bandhan.
The BJP government raised mid-day meal cooks’ monthly pay from ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 and extended cashless treatment of up to ₹5 lakh to them.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said her party would seek to field as many women candidates as possible.
- Who
- The Bharatiya Janata Party, Samajwadi Party, and Congress are competing for women voters, with leaders including Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav, and Priyanka Gandhi making announcements.
- What
- The parties announced or proposed financial aid, free transport, scooters, employment-related benefits, and greater female representation ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.
- When
- The announcements were made in the days leading up to the article’s publication; the polls are described as next year’s Assembly elections and are titled as the 2027 polls.
- Where
- Uttar Pradesh, including announcements and events in Lucknow and Varanasi.
- Why
- Women are considered important voters, while the article says unfulfilled promises concerning jobs, safety, and examinations have affected women and young people.
Opposition welfare promises and criticism
BJP welfare measures and defense
Financial support for women
Opposition welfare promises and criticism
The Samajwadi Party says its proposed scheme would provide ₹40,000 annually to needy women and expand on an earlier monthly payment for below-poverty-line women.
BJP welfare measures and defense
The BJP government has emphasized transport, education, and health-related benefits rather than matching the proposed annual cash payment.
Record on women’s safety
Opposition welfare promises and criticism
Journalist Ajay Rai said women have faced continuing insecurity and that the BJP governments failed to provide promised security, while also criticizing failures on jobs and fair examinations.
BJP welfare measures and defense
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya accused the Samajwadi Party government of having a poor record on women’s and Dalit safety and warned that its alleged criminal influence could return.
Political representation
Opposition welfare promises and criticism
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said her party would try to nominate as many women candidates as possible.
BJP welfare measures and defense
The BJP’s cited announcements focus on benefits for women voters, including scooters, free bus travel, and improved treatment for school meal cooks.
- Samajwadi Party promise
- ₹40,000 annually for women under the proposed Stri Samman Samriddhi Yojana if the party forms the government.
- Student assistance
- The government announced scooters for 50,000 women college students.
- Senior women’s transport
- Women above 60 are to receive smart cards for free travel on state transport buses.
- Raksha Bandhan travel
- Women and their companions were promised free bus services on August 27-28.
- Mid-day meal cooks
- Monthly remuneration was increased from ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 for 3.54 lakh women cooks.
- Medical benefit
- Mid-day meal cooks received a cashless treatment benefit of up to ₹5 lakh.
- Congress position
- Priyanka Gandhi said the Congress would try to field as many women candidates as possible.