The distribution of freebies has emerged as a central theme in Indian political discourse, particularly within states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While the term "freebie" often evokes images of promotional offers or consumer samples, in the context of Indian governance, it refers to government-subsidized goods and services provided to voters. These initiatives range from agricultural inputs and energy subsidies to direct cash transfers and educational resources. The practice is not exclusive to any single political entity, yet the BJP's approach in its stronghold states has drawn significant attention due to the scale and scope of these distributions. The debate surrounding these measures is multifaceted, encompassing economic viability, electoral strategy, and the distinction between welfare and populism. With nearly 22 percent of the country's population living in poverty, the allure of government giveaways remains a potent electoral tool. However, the financial sustainability of such programs is increasingly questioned, particularly given the fiscal constraints faced by Indian states.
One of the primary challenges in analyzing the landscape of government giveaways is the lack of a standardized definition. The Central government, state governments, the Election Commission, and the Supreme Court have yet to establish a clear boundary between "freebies" and "welfare schemes." Generally, freebies are understood as perks, handouts, and giveaways provided free of charge to attract support. However, some experts argue that treating populist schemes and subsidies as synonymous with freebies is incorrect, suggesting that subsidies serve a different policy purpose. In the absence of a legal definition, political parties often frame the narrative to suit their strategic interests. The BJP, for instance, has publicly criticized the "revdi" culture—a metaphor for distributing freebies—yet simultaneously implements similar policies in states where it holds power. This duality was highlighted when the Prime Minister campaigned in Jharkhand, promising an unemployment allowance of Rs 2000 per month and two free gas cylinders during festivals. Simultaneously, posters featuring the Prime Minister alongside gas cylinders celebrated the LPG subsidy, a staple of BJP governance in various states.
The Election Commission’s stance on the matter has been one of neutrality, asserting that it cannot regulate state policies or decide the financial viability of promises. Instead, the EC has suggested that it is up to the voters to determine whether such policies are sustainable or detrimental to the state's economic health. In Jharkhand the other day, BJP announced an allowance for women to be paid each month and two free gas cylinders during festivals. Freebies anyone? Or welfare? A couple of years ago the Election Commission had told political parties to explain how they would raise funds for the promises they make in their manifestos but no one has followed this directive and forgotten it. It is another matter that the Election Commission had no business to wade into this debate in the first place. The EC had earlier told the apex court that “freebies” are subjective and open to interpretation and that it cannot regulate state policies and decisions which may be taken by a party after they form the government. They told the top court that it is up to the voters to decide whether the distribution of freebies is financially viable or if such policies have an adverse effect on the economic health of the state. But that apart, the fact is all parties promise freebies in their manifestos but implementing everything that has been promised has proved to be the challenge. The Congress is learning that the hard way, whether it was DK Shivakumar’s slip up on free bus rides for women or its government in Himachal Pradesh which made 10 welfare promises and has been able to implement only half of those. To some extent, welfare schemes have helped parties win elections.
The Supreme Court has heard petitions seeking to bar freebies, arguing that they disturb the level playing field. However, the Election Commission has maintained that regulating state policies is beyond its purview, noting that "freebies" are subjective. The EC’s argument that it is up to the voters to decide the financial viability of policies places the onus of fiscal discipline on the electorate. However, given the high poverty rates (270 million people), voters may prioritize immediate material benefits over long-term economic stability. This dynamic makes it politically risky for any party to unilaterally abandon freebies, creating a "race to the bottom" in terms of fiscal prudence.
The phenomenon of freebies in BJP-ruled states is a complex interplay of electoral strategy, welfare policy, and economic management. While the party publicly decries the "revdi" culture, its governance record in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand, and other states demonstrates a reliance on subsidies and giveaways to maintain political support. These initiatives—ranging from agricultural inputs and energy discounts to technology distribution and ration support—reflect a broader trend in Indian politics where welfare and populism often merge. The economic implications are severe, with states facing fiscal strain due to the high cost of these schemes and an uneven distribution of tax resources from the Centre. In Jharkhand, the promise of free gas cylinders during festivals serves as a direct appeal to household budget concerns. The continuity of LPG subsidies is a visual and tangible representation of the government's support, often highlighted in campaign materials.
During the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the BJP promised two crore (20 million) tablets or smartphones under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana. This initiative aimed to empower the youth (Yuva) demographic. In previous election cycles, the fulfillment of promises regarding free laptops for students demonstrated the party's commitment to leveraging technology as a welfare tool. These giveaways are designed to bridge the digital divide while securing the votes of younger demographics and their families. The BJP’s "Sankalp Patra" (manifesto) for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections subtly distributed freebies through the guise of existing schemes. The party targeted the "GYAN" demographic—Garib (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers), and Nari (women). Key promises included: Free Ration: Continuing the provision of free rations for the next five years under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. Free Electricity: A promise of free electricity for poor households through the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The distinction between a "welfare scheme" and a "freebie" is often determined solely by which party is in power.
Modern political freebies are not distributed randomly; they are calculated moves to secure specific voter blocks. The BJP's "GYAN" strategy is a prime example of this targeted approach. For Garib (The Poor), schemes like free rations and subsidized food items (sugar, butter) directly address food security. For Yuva (The Youth), distribution of laptops, tablets, and smartphones appeals to students and young job seekers. For Annadata (Farmers), agricultural power subsidies and loan waivers (though not explicitly detailed in the provided text regarding BJP states, a common practice) target the agrarian community. For Nari (Women), free napkin vending machines, promises of gas cylinders, and discussions around bus travel subsidies aim to capture the women's vote. By compartmentalizing the electorate and tailoring giveaways, the party maximizes the perceived value of its manifesto. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) also utilizes this strategy, promising specific freebies to different demographics, indicating a nationwide trend.
The judiciary and the election watchdog have played a reactive role in the freebie debate. The Supreme Court has heard petitions seeking to bar freebies, arguing that they disturb the level playing field. Newslaundry looked at the party manifestos in the five election states. Free laptops, scooty, gas cylinders and education, and loan waivers – the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Mizoram ushered in a barrage of ‘freebies’, with the most on offer in Chhattisgarh, MP and Telangana. In Chhattisgarh, while the Congress’s loan waiver was the heavyweight, the BJP’s big promise was MSP for paddy and scholarships for the children of small farmers. But the Bhupesh Baghel government outshined both – with a higher rate for paddy procurement, and promise of “free education from KG to PG” – referring to kindergarten and post-graduation. The manifestos, however, did not mention quality of education or educational infrastructure. In Telangana, offers ranged from free milk yielding cows to laptops for students, Rs 5 lakh financial aid for housing, and four free LPG cylinders annually. In Rajasthan, the Gehlot government said, if re-elected, it would shell out over Rs 5,000 crore on free gadgets for women. In Madhya Pradesh, where the outpouring of freebies began months in advance, the Chouhan government seems ready to shell out over Rs 56,000 crore on farm schemes from the state coffers, if re-elected. Notably, Madhya Pradesh’s total debt stood at Rs 3,31,000 crore in September this year – with the government taking more than Rs 9,000 crore debt since April this year. Among the freebies, the BJP’s guarantees for Ram Mandir tours stood out.
The analysis of freebies in BJP-governed Indian states reveals a complex political and economic landscape. The lack of a clear definition for "freebie" allows for significant interpretative flexibility, which political parties, including the BJP, exploit. While the party criticizes the "revdi" culture, its own electoral promises and governance practices in states like Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh include substantial giveaways targeting specific voter demographics such as the poor, youth, farmers, and women. These range from direct cash transfers and free rations to technology distribution (laptops, tablets, smartphones) and energy subsidies (free gas cylinders, electricity). The financial sustainability of these programs is a major concern, with states accruing significant debt. The Election Commission and Supreme Court have been involved in the debate but have largely deferred the judgment of financial viability to the voters, acknowledging the subjective nature of the term "freebie." Ultimately, the proliferation of such promises reflects a strategic electoral approach where welfare and populism are intertwined, and the long-term economic implications for Indian states remain a critical issue.