Modi does not constantly talk of women empowerment. His actions speak louder
Many credit to BJP chief Amit Shah’s incredible organisational skills and how he delegates power to smart individuals like Sunil Bansal — this is the reason behind the incredible success of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. However, as noted by journalist Prashant Jha in his book on the Uttar Pradesh election, there was something the Modi Government did and that was the ‘Ujjwala’ scheme that tipped the scales in its favour. Much of the social coalition the BJP is building up is not just a carefully constructed caste coalition but also a coalition of women. While Congress vice president’s repetitive lines on women’s empowerment became a cliche during the winter and spring of 2013-14, and have continued unabated ever since, the Modi Government has taken a few powerful steps that have led to actual empowerment. Of course, there has been much talk of the judgement on triple talaq, whose quashing had governmental support, and we do not know how much of this support translated to or will translate to for the BJP among the Muslim women, but there is the ‘Ujjwala’ scheme, under which the Union Government is giving gas connections to millions of impoverished households — this is making actual difference to the lives of the poor, who were dependent on firewood and cow-dung patties — a horrible reminder of how despite being in the 21st century, parts of India are still in the 19th century. Another reminder of the dichotomy is the fact that many parts of India continue to remain dark. Of course, when you take a night flight from north to south India, the ground underneath is far brighter than it was two decades ago, but with 40 million households still without electricity, many parts of the country are still in the dark ages. Providing reliable electricity, even if it is subsidised, can transform the lives of the impoverished not because children can study late in the night but it will also enhance safety. The economic impact of providing every household with electricity will also, albeit gradually at first, see an uptick of economic activity in villages. In many areas that have been notionally ‘electrified’, electricity remains a privilege of the dominant castes. An equitable distribution of electricity, particularly in the northern States where the problem remains grim, will help the BJP politically as well.
However, none of this takes away the fact that this scheme will be expensive and that Indian State electricity boards are in poor financial health. Years of transmission and distribution losses, encouraged by political patronage, have drained the companies. Some States are trying to reform their electricity distribution using modern technology. The ‘Ujjwala’ scheme will put a burden on them. At the same time, the Government will have to keep an eye on the environmental cost of providing electricity to everyone. Coal-fired thermal plants are polluting and it is likely that several selfish environmentalists and Western nations will protest that India’s electricity push is damaging the environment. The Government will have to continue its drive towards cleaner forms of power, particularly renewables and ignore the noises. Power to all will drive India further. It could also ensure power remains with the BJP in 2019.