Women and Rural Votes Changed the Fortunes of the Congress in Telangana

The Congress dashed the hopes of BRS to achieve a hat-trick victory. Despite the reach out of welfare schemes for the poor in rural areas, those who did not benefit from the schemes voted him out. In Telangana, the Women’s and Rural Vote was instrumental in unseating the incumbent Bharat Rashtra Samithi government. In 56 out of 119 constituencies, the number of women voters exceeded that of males. The Indian National Congress secured 37 of these 56 seats.

From a monthly stipend of Rs 2,500 for women to gas cylinder priced at Rs 500, political parties went to great lengths to promise change for women voters in Telangana. Dalit and women rights activist from Telangana Sujatha Surepally however says that the idea of women receiving… pic.twitter.com/gWLS96mizH

— Outlook India (@Outlookindia) December 3, 2023

Crucial Women’s Votes

Telangana is one of the few states nationwide where women outnumber males in the general electorate. Under the Mahalakshmi guarantee, Congress targeted women, pledging Rs. 2,500 to women per month, LPG gas cylinders for Rs.500 and free bus travel on RTC buses. Young ladies getting married would also be given 10 grams of gold and 1 lakh in cash, while eligible women would receive free electric scooters.

According to statistics compiled by the Election Commission of India, there are 1,62,98,418 male voters and 1,63,01,705 female voters, giving the females the advantage. However, when the Service voters are accounted for, the proportion of male electors slightly increases to 1.63,02,261 compared to the 1,63,12,268 female electors. In 56 constituencies, however, more women than males participated in the suffrage process on election day. The Congress has secured 37 victories in these 56 constituencies, while the BJP has secured six of its eight seats.

Also Read: Suspense Ends: Revanth Reddy The New Chief Minister Of Telangana

Tilt of Rural Voters

In rural pockets, the votes decimated the BRS party once they gave blood and life for the party for the Statehood movement. Within a decade, things have changed drastically against the movement-based party of KCR. The Congress’s triumph was significantly propelled by its achievements in rural constituencies situated beyond the Hyderabad region. The Congress has increased its vote share significantly from 28% in the Assembly elections of 2018 to 39% in the current election.

Don’t get excited for the exit polls
Let the results come

As I said earlier, I believe Congress will form govt in Telangana.

Low urban voting is huge minus for BRS

Rural voters are anti against BRS n their voting percentage is high.@revanth_anumula thop electioneering 🙏🔥 pic.twitter.com/QdzKP6rF2U

— vamsi🌶️ (@urstruly_vamsi) November 30, 2023

The state can be generally classified into two regions: traditional BRS strongholds in the north, including districts such as Adilabad, Nizamabad, Warangal, and Karimnagar; and traditional Congress strongholds in the south, including districts like Khammam, Nalgonda, and Mahbubnagar. The Congress won all fourteen seats in the three southern districts. As a result, the Congress and the BJP jointly stormed into the BRS heartland from their strongholds. 

Aside from the capital city, the BRS was crushed in rural areas due to the strong anti-incumbency and KCR’s disconnection from the Masses. Another argument is rural voters might be swayed by the freebies that Congress announced in their Manifesto. However, BRS was over-confident, arrogant and autocratic in nature.