Darrang/Nalbari/Jorhat/Nagaon/Sonitpur (Assam): A group of women dressed in mekhela sadors (traditional Assamese dress) in various hues gather at a gas agency in Rampur, Nalbari district, forenoon Monday to collect their cylinders under the central government’s Ujjwala scheme.
As they wait for their turn, the conversation ranges from the latest Assamese movie, to their children’s school teachers, and even the forthcoming elections.
Asked who they think should become Prime Minister, and pat comes the unanimous response: “Modi”. “He is complete. We have really nothing to complain about,” says Sili Deka, one of the women.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s massive popularity among women isn’t restricted to this group. Most women voters in Assam express their desire to see him re-elected, while speaking about him in glowing terms.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has always believed Modi enjoys a special popularity among women voters across the country, a trend observed since his days as Gujarat Chief Minister.
A lot of his schemes, therefore, have been specifically designed to cater to this segment — from cooking gas connections under Ujjwala, to toilets under Swachh Bharat, and giving out the majority of rural houses in women’s or joint names.
With the percentage of women voters steadily on the rise — from 47 per cent in 2014 to 48.13 per cent this election — this constituency is becoming increasingly crucial.
No surprise, therefore, that all political parties are attempting to woo this segment — from promising special schemes to giving out a chunk of tickets to women candidates.
‘He thinks of us’
The Modi government’s schemes in particular seem to have found resonance among Assam’s women voters, who feel very little reached them under earlier regimes and, more importantly, that few of the PM’s predecessors thought of their needs specifically.
Jugal Goswami, in charge of the gas agency, claims around 13,000 beneficiaries under Ujjwala have been registered at his agency alone. “The scheme has found huge traction among women,” he adds.
“Modi has given us gas connections,” says Moromi Nath of Rampur, “Earlier, cooking was a big problem, but he thought of us.
“We now get rice at Re 1 per kg, helping us manage our budgets. We have been given health cards as well, and houses are being constructed in women’s names. Toilets are the biggest thing, they have really changed our lives,” she adds. “At least he thinks of us. Earlier, who did? We got nothing.”
Other women gathered around her agree animatedly. They talk of how Ujjwala has improved their health, how toilets have made life easier, and how having a house in their name in the village makes them feel empowered.
“Even safety has improved, now we can even go out at night,” says Vandana Nath. “Even in education, we now get scholarships. Earlier, girls would give up studying after Class XII, but now the well-performing girls are funded by the government so they can pursue their graduation.”
When told that law and order and education facilities are state government initiatives and not the Centre’s, the women insist that all of it is still because of Modi, since it is the BJP in power even in Assam.
‘Better roads, power supply’
It isn’t just schemes aimed at women that make Modi popular among this segment, other welfare initiatives help add to his brand.
“There is no doubt Modi should come back,” says Purabi Deka of Dumnichoki in Darrang district.
“Toilets and gas connections are, of course, there, but better roads and power situation have meant our entire families can lead better lives. What more can we want?” Deka adds. “If brought back for another five years, he will surely do much more.”
Junuma Das of Nagaon says the Modi government has helped generate employment in her village, construct roads and improve the power situation.
“It is the PM who ensured all this. Else, wouldn’t earlier governments have managed it?” she asks, adding that “all her friends support Modi”.
Also read: Congress can’t lead India or Assam – message from voters in party stronghold Kaliabor
Network of SHGs
Self-Help Groups (SHGs) formed under the Aajeevika mission are also cited by several rural women as a Modi government initiative that has helped give them a degree of independence.
SHGs, in fact, act as an effective enabler to reinforce brand Modi among women.
As women who are part of SHGs meet often, political discussions inevitably come up, with notes exchanged. Positive conversations about government schemes and the sense of empowerment that comes with running SHGs further help add to the narrative of Modi’s popularity.
A BJP district president in Assam who did not wish to be identified explains that the party’s push for a network of SHGs also had “political considerations and has paid off”.
The X-factor
A major factor driving Modi’s popularity with women voters is his oratory. Although in Hindi, which not many in Assam immediately relate to, Modi’s speeches have managed to strike a chord, as has his demeanour.
“He speaks so well,” says Jyoti Bora of Jorhat. “I always sit in front of the TV when he is speaking, although I understand very little. But his tone and oratory are good. He carries himself very well.”
For others, it’s Modi’s “tough decisions” that set him apart.
“See, it is clear he does not think being PM is a joke,” says Aditi Vaidya of Nalbari. “He works hard. And he takes tough decisions. Banning notes (demonetisation) was one such step, and ensured all the black money hidden by the rich and corrupt, especially Congress politicians, came out.”
Also read: Guess what Assam’s voters believe should not be an election issue? Balakot air strikes
The faultlines
Not all women, however, are fond of Modi. For women from the minority communities, the BJP’s blatantly majoritarian politics has taken the sheen off Modi’s schemes.
“Gas cylinders and toilets are all OK,” says Parveen Sultana of Darrang, where Muslims comprise 64 per cent of the population.
“But what about the trouble BJP brings? Look at what happened with the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. We don’t feel safe with Modi as PM, his party keeps spreading discord,” she adds.
Some claim nothing has reached their villages and, for them, it was the Congress that did much more.
“Look around and see the roads in our village. No work has happened here,” says Babita Begum of Jorhat, a Hindu-majority district where Muslims comprise 5 per cent of the population.
“Toilets were constructed, but so poorly that we can’t even use them. Prices of everything have gone up and GST has added to problems. Just by saying ‘Modi, Modi’, things won’t improve,” she adds. “Plus, the BJP government constantly tries to divide society.”
Governments should do good, for all citizens equally. The gas connections, toilets, rural housing are helping the ruling party in Assam, all over the country, in fact. Distractions like the NAC, CAB are better avoided. That would help the women quoted towards the end of the column to offer their endorsement as well.
NRC