Gender-Based Strategies and Electoral Politics in India Through the Lens of Public Choice Theory and Capability Approach

The paper is written in the context of the rising electoral gender ratio and consequent competition among the political parties to mobilise the vote and support of the women voters.Its objective is to examine genderbased strategies and electoral politics in India through the lens of two salient theoretical frameworks, namely public choice theory (PCT) and capability approach (CA).In other words, the objective of the paper is to ascertain if gender-based strategies and electoral politics in India could lead to a situation of bliss where women empowerment and sustainable development agendas converge.It uses the lens of public choice theory (PCT) to understand the collective behaviour of women as voters and how their demands are responded to by the political parties.The paper argues that driven by the interest of attracting voters and converting them into supporters and members might make it incumbent upon the political parties to draw up their manifestos for their welfare.This welfare emphasis in turn might lead to sustainable political success for the parties; and more inclusive & equitable development.The capability approach (CA) is used to understand how their participation in the electoral process enhances women's greater entitlement to health, education and other measures and thus expands capabilities/ opportunities for them.Making the development process more inclusive and equitable.The common outcome of sustainable polity, economy and society evident from these two approaches is shown by way of an intersection between the PCT and CA frameworks.The paper then draws a gender based electoral strategic direction framework for discerning the pathways implying the various combinations of the ego states & life positions of the contestants and the voters.Finally, the paper evaluates the relevance of gender-based politics in terms of the opportunities for and challenges to the realization of the vision 'Viksit Bharat @2047' in alignment with sustainable development goals.