Who will win AP: Old Jagan or New CBN

As the 2024 Andhra Pradesh elections heat up, both the ruling YSRCP and the opposition TDP-Jana Sena alliance are vying for the crucial women's vote, deploying welfare schemes and promises as their primary weapons.

YSRCP is banking on its track record of 24 women-centric welfare schemes, touting their transformative impact on millions of lives. Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy's focus on women's empowerment, both politically and economically, has garnered significant support among female voters, making them a formidable force for the party.

Flagship schemes like Jagananna Amma Vodi (financial aid for mothers for children's education) and YSR Cheyutha (support for marginalized women) are touted as game-changers. YSRCP leaders claim to have distributed over ₹2.83 lakh crore through these programs over the past five years. Amma Vodi alone has reached 44,48,865 beneficiaries, disbursing ₹26,067 crore, while YSR Cheyutha has provided ₹19,189 crore to 26,98,931 women.

The party's Navaratnalu Plus manifesto promises to increase the Amma Vodi amount to ₹17,000 and enhance other schemes, further aiming to consolidate the women's vote bank.

The TDP-Jana Sena alliance is countering with its Super Six manifesto, promising free cooking gas cylinders, free bus travel, a monthly pension of ₹1500 for women aged 19-59, ₹15,000 under the "Thalliki Vandanam" scheme mirroring Amma Vodi, and interest-free loans for women associated with Dwcra (self-help groups). TDP leaders, including party chief Chandrababu Naidu, are actively highlighting these promises, seeking to sway the women's vote in their favor.

With women constituting 2,10,56,137 out of 4.14 crore voters and holding sway in nearly 60 out of 175 constituencies, their vote is crucial in deciding the electoral outcome. The battle for this influential segment will undoubtedly shape the political landscape in Andhra Pradesh.