The Congress and BJP are in full action mode for the upcoming 2027 assembly elections. Both parties are making every effort to woo women voters. While the BJP’s new national team, led by President Nitin Naveen, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Nari Shakti” agenda are at the forefront, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are presenting their views on the Congress side.
Both parties are adopting different approaches
Both parties are adopting different narratives to woo the female vote bank. The BJP is touting policy representation through the Nari Shakti Vandan Act and women’s participation in organizational positions. The Congress is linking this to women’s personal autonomy, freedom of choice, and breaking patriarchal thinking, expanding beyond legal quotas.
This political tussle has intensified since the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, related to delimitation, failed to pass in the Lok Sabha in 2026. With the crucial assembly elections in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, scheduled for 2027, both parties are working to strengthen their presence among women voters across the country.
Women have now become an independent and decisive vote bank in Indian politics. Beyond addressing traditional caste and regional dynamics, parties are seeking to directly win the trust of women voters. The BJP is positioning itself as a party that implements its own policies, while the Congress is challenging the BJP’s “women power” narrative by questioning the delimitation clause and advocating for individual freedom.
The BJP has leveraged its organizational strengths by appointing 46% women vice presidents and taking credit for legal reforms to make this an electoral weapon. In response, the Congress, through its state-level policies (such as the “I am a girl, I can fight” campaign in UP in 2022) and Rahul Gandhi’s socio-cultural statements, is attempting to convey the message that true empowerment lies in women’s freedom and self-determination, not just in government decisions.