LOKSABHA 2024: The W FACTOR of Indian Politics

Published On: May 31, 2024 – The rise of the “woman factor” is one of the most significant changes in India’s elections. For the first time in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, more women voted than men, with a turnout of 67.1% compared to 67% for men. In 2024, the female turnout in West Bengal was the highest among all states at 83.33%, compared to 81.62% for men. In a country where men have historically been more likely to vote, how has this trend transformed the Indian political landscape? The show explores this transformation in the social fabric of India, driven by the growing empowerment of women. Over the last decade, numerous government initiatives at both national and state levels have empowered women like never before. As a result, political parties can no longer take this cohort, accounting for half of the 970 million electorate, for granted. Regardless of the outcome on June 4, when votes are tallied, the standout trend in the ongoing general election will be the role of women voters in influencing the results. The aggressive wooing of this cohort by political parties confirms its importance. On Countdown 2024, Join News9Plus Editor Sandeep Unnithan, colleague Kartikeya Sharma, Dr. Anil K. Verma- Director, Centre for the Study of Society and Politics and Senior Journalist Ajit Kumar Jha as they delve into the impact of female voters on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in an exclusive News9 discussion.