If there’s a new recipe to win elections in India, it seems to be the promise of cash transfers for women in the state. Observing the political landscape in states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Haryana, it’s clear that such cash transfers significantly influence voting preferences. But should the entire focus be on freebies?

With Maharashtra Elections 2024 approaching on November 20, parties will soon release their manifestos. I’ve analysed many manifestos but am particularly eager to see those from the MahaYuti and MahaVikas Aghadi in Maharashtra. The reason is that the MahaYuti alliance has already made decisions in the cabinet that typically appear only in manifestos. At the same time, the opposition, particularly the Congress, struggles to fulfil similar promises in other states. For example, in Congress-led states like Himachal Pradesh and Telangana, cash transfers to women and other promised freebies have been temporarily halted.