India, April 27 -- The clue lies in the queues. Women are everywhere. In Tamil Nadu, a record 84.69% turnout with female participation at 85.76%, overtaking male turnout at 83.57%.

In West Bengal, where only the first phase of polling is over, turnout is even higher at 91.78%. Once again, women lead, 92.69% to 90.92% for men.

The queues result in many things. Stirring words on nari shakti at election speeches. Cash in hand via unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) in three of the four states-Kerala is the exception-and one union territory, Puducherry where assembly elections are underway.

In Assam, among the first states to introduce UCTs, women heads of households receive Rs.1,250. In West Bengal, where Lakshmi Bhandar was introduced in...