Populism in disguise: Welfare rhetoric and money handouts that are reshaping electoral behaviour of the Indian democracy

Abstract

The paper begins by linking the idea of populism with the culture of money handouts during elections, showing how such promises are used to build emotional appeal and short-term loyalty among voters. In recent years, political parties have increasingly used promises of free cash transfers, household items, and subsidies as tools to attract voters without any concern for their fiscal viability. To understand this better, this research paper contains case study of three State Assembly elections Madhya Pradesh (2023), Maharashtra (2024), Jharkhand (2024). These case studies help highlight patterns in campaign strategies, in shaping the voter behavior, and the scale of promised benefits. Constitutional provisions and judicial interpretations have been incorporated in the research paper to provide constitutional insight into the legal loopholes and statutory framework that governs the electoral process in India.