With the West Bengal Assembly Election approaching, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday released its election manifesto, titled ‘Sankalp Patra’, outlining a series of welfare promises aimed primarily at women and unemployed youth in the state.
The manifesto was unveiled in Kolkata by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who described it as a roadmap for economic support, employment generation, and governance reforms. The announcement is being viewed as a strategic counter to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s flagship Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.
Addressing the gathering, Shah announced that if voted to power, the BJP would provide a monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 to every woman in the state. The amount, he said, would be directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts between the 1st and 5th of each month.
Launching a sharp attack on the state government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Shah alleged that women in West Bengal had been “used as political pawns” rather than being genuinely empowered. Political observers note that the ₹3,000 promise is positioned as a direct escalation of the existing assistance under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, where beneficiaries currently receive between ₹1,500 and ₹1,700 per month.
The BJP’s manifesto also places significant emphasis on addressing unemployment. Shah announced a monthly unemployment allowance of ₹3,000 for jobless youth, citing concerns over migration of skilled workers from the state. He further promised a one-time grant of ₹15,000 to support candidates preparing for competitive examinations.
In addition, the Sankalp Patra outlines several measures aimed at promoting employment and entrepreneurship, including interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh for individuals seeking to start their own businesses. The party has also proposed granting up to five years of age relaxation to candidates who allegedly lost job opportunities due to recruitment-related irregularities.
Women-centric initiatives form a key pillar of the manifesto. Apart from financial assistance, the BJP has proposed reserving 33 per cent of government jobs for women and ensuring free travel for women on government-run buses. The party has also pledged to establish a ‘Mahila Suraksha Bahini’ (Women’s Protection Force) in every block and provide a one-time grant of ₹50,000 to female students enrolling in undergraduate courses.
The manifesto further emphasises stricter action against illegal infiltration and promises a corruption-free administrative framework, alongside assurances of merit-based recruitment and permanent employment opportunities.
With a total of 15 key announcements outlined in the document, the BJP’s Sankalp Patra is being seen as a major electoral push aimed at expanding its support base in West Bengal. Whether these promises can significantly impact the political landscape and challenge the TMC’s established welfare network will ultimately be determined when voters head to the polls.
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