ShodhPatra: International Journal of Science and Humanities

Electoral Populism and Democratic Governance in Indian States: Boon or Bane?

Electoral populism has emerged as a defining feature of democratic politics in several Indian states, with political parties increasingly relying on welfare schemes and freebie policies to attract and retain voter support. This paper examines the impact of such populist practices on democratic governance, exploring whether they serve as a boon that enhances social welfare and political inclusion or a bane that undermines fiscal responsibility and long-term policy planning. The study adopts a qualitative approach, drawing on secondary sources including government reports, policy documents, scholarly articles, and media analyses. A comparative case study method is used to analyze specific examples from Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Delhi—states that have witnessed the widespread use of populist welfare measures such as subsidized electricity, direct cash transfers, and social welfare programs. The findings suggest that while electoral populism can promote immediate socio-economic benefits, alleviate poverty, and foster political participation among marginalized communities, it also poses significant challenges to democratic governance. These challenges include fiscal stress on state economies, the entrenchment of vote-bank politics, and the erosion of policy-based decision-making processes. The paper highlights the fine balance required between delivering welfare and maintaining democratic accountability, offering policy recommendations to ensure that populist initiatives contribute to sustainable and inclusive development without compromising the integrity of democratic institutions.