Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the launch event of the BJP manifesto in West Bengal.
Amit Shah’s ‘Masterstroke’ in Bengal Manifesto Leaves Mamata’s TMC in Disarray. During a press conference in Newtown on Friday, Amit Shah unveiled a ‘Sankalp Patra’ (Pledge Document) specifically aimed at women from poor, lower-middle-class, and middle-class households, and announced a monthly stipend of ₹3,000 for unemployed youths seeking work. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also weighed in on the Humayun Kabir controversy, stating: “I would rather sit in the opposition for 20 years than join hands with a party that seeks to rebuild the Babri Masjid.”
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BJP’s Sankalp Patra
With the unveiling of Amit Shah’s election manifesto for West Bengal, the BJP has adopted a strategy to defeat the TMC using the very weapon forged by Mamata Banerjee herself.
Amit Shah had previously stated that the party’s manifesto would focus on—and serve as the central theme of this election—a “roadmap for the future of West Bengal.” Political observers believe that the BJP manifesto he released indeed offers a “roadmap” for the state’s “future.” However, even more prominent within it is the promise of various forms of financial allowances. The BJP has announced in its election manifesto financial assistance and allowances that are several times greater—both in variety and magnitude—than those currently introduced by Mamata Banerjee’s government.
By unveiling its election manifesto for West Bengal, the BJP has adopted a strategy to defeat the TMC using the very weapons forged by Mamata Banerjee herself.
Amit Shah had previously stated that the party’s manifesto would “address the roadmap for the future of West Bengal in this election.” Political observers believe that the manifesto he released indeed lays out a comprehensive “roadmap” for the state’s “future.”
Jubilation erupted within the state BJP on Friday as Shah announced a monthly stipend of ₹3,000 for women from poor, lower-middle-class, and middle-class households, as well as for young men and women seeking employment. BJP leaders immediately began claiming that this ‘Shahi’ announcement had overshadowed Mamata’s so-called ‘masterstroke.’ However, the BJP’s manifesto did not stop at just these two announcements. Under the ‘PM Kisan Samman Nidhi’ scheme, the Central Government currently provides an annual sum of ₹6,000. Shah announced that if a BJP government is formed in the state, the Chief Minister will contribute an additional ₹3,000 to this scheme.
Every year, 9,000 rupees will be credited to each beneficiary’s account. Farmers currently receive annual aid via the State Government’s “Krishak Bandhu” scheme, which ranges from a minimum of 4,000 rupees to a maximum of 10,000 rupees. If elected to power, the BJP has declared that there will be no such distinction between “minimum” and “maximum” limitations when it comes to farmer support; instead, everyone will get a fixed annual payment of 9,000 rupees. Additionally, the BJP has shown that it intends to outperform the Trinamool’s efforts in the area of free health care.
Currently, medical coverage up to 500,000 rupees annually is offered by the Central Government’s “Ayushman Bharat” initiative and the State Government’s “Swasthya Sathi” scheme. The main distinction is that the State’s “Swasthya Sathi” program is available to persons of all income levels, while the Central system is only available to those in a particular income range and up to the age of 70. The BJP declared on Friday that the “Ayushman Bharat” initiative would be implemented throughout the state if they win power in West Bengal. This would give recipients the chance to receive free medical care anywhere in the nation, not only in the state. Furthermore, the State Government would contribute additional funds to the scheme, thereby raising the total insurance coverage value beyond the current limit of 500,000 rupees.
Key Highlights of BJP’s Election Manifesto :
(1) Create 10 million jobs within five years; provide a monthly stipend of ₹3,000 until employment is secured.
(2) Take measures against illegal infiltration.
(3) Provide a monthly stipend of ₹3,000 to women to foster self-reliance.
(4) Publish a White Paper on the corruption and law-and-order situation under the Trinamool government.
(5) Put an end to the “cut-money” culture and “Syndicate Raj.”
(6) Provide Dearness Allowance (DA) to state government employees at Central Government rates and implement the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.
(7) Establish a women’s police battalion named “Durga Suraksha Bahini”; reserve 33% of government jobs for women.
(8) Ensure fair and remunerative prices for the produce of potato, paddy, and mango farmers.
(9) Establish fisheries export hubs and state-of-the-art industrial centers.
(10) Enact a Uniform Civil Code and put an end to cattle smuggling.
(11) Brand and promote Darjeeling Tea on the global stage.
(12) Implement all Central Government schemes, including Ayushman Bharat.
(13) Enact legislation to guarantee the freedom to practice one’s religion independently.
Trinamool alleges a ‘secret collusion’ between Humayun and the BJP.
Last Thursday, the Trinamool Congress held a press conference and alleged a “secret collusion” between Humayun and the BJP. Releasing a 19-minute video containing Humayun’s “private conversations,” the Trinamool claimed that he had demanded ₹1,000 crore from the BJP. He reportedly asked for an upfront payment of ₹200 crore. In exchange, Humayun was seen in the video assuring his full support for a BJP Chief Minister in West Bengal (Newsi18.com has not independently verified the authenticity of the video). Having been suspended from the Trinamool, Humayun has formed his own party and is contesting the Assembly elections. He alleges that the video released by the Trinamool was fabricated using AI technology. He has also warned that he will file a defamation suit against the ruling party if they fail to substantiate their allegations.
(Left) Humayun Kabir and Union Home Minister Amit Shah (right). —File photo.
Shah said, “You have no idea of Mamata-ji’s capabilities; she could fabricate 2,000 such videos,” in response to a question concerning the purported communication between the BJP and Humayun Kabir. But from an ideological standpoint, Humayun Kabir and the BJP are as dissimilar as the North and South Poles. It is just not possible for us to understand each other. Instead of working with those who want to construct a Babri Masjid in West Bengal, we would prefer to remain in the opposition for twenty years.”