Uttar Pradesh’s political battle is increasingly turning into a contest for the attention of women voters, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav putting forward competing promises ahead of the next Assembly election.
From free bus travel and women’s safety to an annual pension, laptops for girls and a dedicated ambulance service, both political camps are highlighting women-focused measures as they prepare for a high-stakes electoral contest.
The emerging political message is simple: who can offer more to women?
Yogi Government’s Free Travel Push For Women
The Yogi Adityanath government has announced several measures aimed at women.
One of the prominent initiatives is free bus travel for women aged above 60. The state government also announced free travel for women for three days around Raksha Bandhan.
Under that arrangement, one family member accompanying the woman could also travel without paying a fare.
The government has presented the move as part of its broader focus on women’s safety, mobility and welfare.
Yogi Takes Aim At Previous SP Governments
While promoting his government’s women-centric initiatives, Yogi Adityanath also attacked the Samajwadi Party’s record.
The Chief Minister alleged that women had faced insecurity under earlier governments and claimed that funds intended for welfare programmes were diverted by mafias.
Yogi has repeatedly positioned women’s safety and access to government schemes as major achievements of his administration.
Akhilesh Comes Back With ₹40,000 Annual Pension Promise
Akhilesh Yadav has responded with a much larger package of electoral promises.
The SP chief announced the proposed ‘Stree Samman Samriddhi’ scheme, under which women would receive an annual pension of ₹40,000 if the Samajwadi Party returns to power in Uttar Pradesh.
Akhilesh has also promised that the amount would increase every year for five years.
The announcement gives the SP a direct welfare pitch aimed at women voters and puts financial assistance at the centre of its campaign message.
Girls To Get Laptops After Class 12
Akhilesh’s proposed package does not stop at financial support.
He has promised laptops for girls who successfully complete Class 12, linking the proposal to education and digital access.
The SP chief has also announced a separate ambulance service for women, adding a healthcare component to his women-focused promises.
Safety And Women’s Reservation Become Political Weapons
The two parties are also clashing over women’s safety.
Akhilesh has accused the BJP government of making promises to women without adequately delivering on them. He has argued that the Samajwadi Party would implement the commitments it makes.
He has also challenged the BJP over women’s reservation in Parliament and state Assemblies, asking why the government has not moved faster on the issue.
Yogi Hits Back At Akhilesh
Yogi responded by turning the criticism back towards the SP.
The Chief Minister accused the Samajwadi Party of having a history of “looting the rights of women” and also targeted Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over women’s reservation.
Yogi claimed that his government would work to take forward the legislation concerning women’s reservation.
UP Election Battle Gets A Women’s Vote Angle
The latest political exchange shows how prominently women voters are emerging in Uttar Pradesh’s electoral calculations.
Yogi is highlighting welfare delivery, safety and free travel, while Akhilesh is putting forward direct financial assistance, education benefits and healthcare promises.
With both sides increasingly speaking directly to women, the upcoming Uttar Pradesh election could see women’s welfare become one of the biggest battlegrounds between the BJP and the SP.
For voters, however, the real question will be whether these announcements translate into meaningful benefits on the ground.
