Where have all the women gone?

There are freebies galore for them, but only about 10% of the candidates fielded in the Maharashtra assembly polls are women

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The election manifestos of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, the Mahayuti, and the Opposition front, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), promise riches for women. The Mahayuti wants to hike the monthly allowance under the Ladki Bahin Yojana, deemed a game changer by the Eknath Shinde government, and make five million women Lakhpati Didis by 2027- the Lakhpati Didi is a central income enhancement initiative for women members of self-help groups. The MVA on its part has the Mahalaxmi scheme, which promises monthly cash aid, and free bus rides among other promises.