Women in election-bound Madhya Pradesh: Of opening moves, political pawns

Women voters emerge as the pivotal pieces on a complex board of shifting alliances and challenges for the Bharatiya Janata Party. NITIN KUMAR writes

Even as political currents shift within the election-bound state of Madhya Pradesh (MP), one pivotal demographic is taking centre stage in the campaign: women.

With an estimated 24 million female voters of a total of 50 million eligible voters, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is mounting a passionate effort to win their support.

However, the saffron party does not have everything going in its favour this time.

These women voters are also influenced by factors such as anti-incumbency stemming from the BJP’s nearly two-decade rule, rising inflation, and soaring unemployment rates, collectively making it a challenging election for the BJP.