Kolkata, Apr 10 (PTI) The BJP on Friday unveiled its manifesto for the West Bengal Assembly elections, which promised to plug infiltration, implement a uniform civil code and proposed expanded welfare packages for women, youth, farmers and state government employees if the party wins the election fray.
Releasing the manifesto – ‘Sankalp Patra’ – Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed it a roadmap for ‘Sonar Bangla’ and launched a blistering attack on the Mamata Banerjee government, alleging that the last 15 years of TMC rule were a ‘nightmare’ for the people of the state.
“Bengal, fed up with the TMC, now wants change,” he said, seeking to turn the elections into a referendum on corruption, political violence, infiltration and unemployment.
The sharpest political feature of the statement came in Shah’s announcement that the BJP government would adopt a “detect, delete and deport” policy against hackers. “The BJP government in Bengal will adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards infiltration.”
The party promised to secure the state’s borders, stop cattle smuggling and clear government lands of “aggressors and infiltrators”, underscoring the BJP’s attempt to keep the campaign centered on the border belt stretching across North 24 Parganas, Nadia, Malda, Murshidabad and North Bengal.
This promise is expected to resonate among sections of the Matua and refugee Hindu voters, a section the BJP has worked to nurture for years through the CAA and frequent references to “infiltration”.
The manifesto also promised to implement the Uniform Civil Code in Bengal within six months of the BJP coming to power.
“The UCC law has been implemented in many states ruled by the BJP. We will implement it in Bengal within six months so that there is one law for every citizen. In Bengal, one law will be ensured for all citizens,” Shah said.
In an apparent attempt to mitigate criticism from minorities, he added that the BJP would also enact a law that would guarantee every citizen the freedom to practice their religion.
In its strongest attempt yet to defeat the social coalition that has kept the TMC in power for over 15 years, the saffron party’s manifesto was laden with welfare promises designed to penetrate the ruling party’s strongest stronghold – women voters.
Shah announced that every woman in Bengal would receive $3000 every month if BJP comes to power. He also promised 33% allocation for women in all government jobs, including the police, in addition to freedom of travel on public transportation.
This promise is politically significant in a state where women now make up nearly half of the electorate.
The high turnout of women and the popularity of TMC government schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar have become one of the ruling party’s strongest electoral shields.
Last month, the Transitional Military Council announced $500 increase in Lakshmir Bhandar in its own statement, with monthly compensation paid to $1500 for the general category of women $1,700 for SC and ST beneficiaries.
The BJP manifesto also tried to exploit discontent among unemployed youth and government employees.
It promised the unemployed youth a monthly allowance $3000 and more $15,000 to prepare for competitive exams. The BJP promised that those who lost their jobs due to school recruitment scam and other corruption-related issues will be given age relaxation of up to five years.
She also pledged transparent, merit-based recruitment and said deserving candidates would get permanent jobs.
In an attempt to exploit long-standing resentment among state government employees over the dearness allowance, Shah promised DA parity with the Center and implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission within 45 days of assuming office.
He said: “The allocated subsidy will be provided to all government employees and pensioners, and the Seventh Wage Commission will be implemented within 45 days.”
For farmers, the BJP promised increased assistance under the PM-Kisan scheme $9000 annually by addition $3000 from the state government to the current centre $6000.
The manifesto also mentioned a broad infrastructure and development package aimed at countering the perception that the BJP only speaks the language of identity politics.
Shah announced that AIIMS, IIT, IIM and an institute of fashion design will be set up in different districts of North Bengal, while a new cancer hospital with modern facilities will also be set up in the district.
The statement promised that four new towns will be developed across the state after identifying suitable sites, while special deep-sea ports will be built at Tajpur and Kulpi, and a separate development plan for Haldia port will be drawn up.
The BJP also promised a 10-year action plan for Kolkata, which Shah said would be showcased globally as a “living city”.
Darjeeling will be developed as a heritage tourist destination, while the hill areas will be developed to “keep Bengal united”, a formula apparently aimed at balancing the BJP’s support base in the hills with concerns in the plains over any proposal for partition.
Along with development came a heavy cultural layer. The BJP said it would develop Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spiritual circle, establish a cultural center in the name of Rabindranath Tagore, and set up the Vande Mataram Museum.
She promised that the BJP government would set up a panel of retired Supreme Court judges to investigate political violence and another of retired judges to oversee investigations into crimes against women, as in Sandeshkhali.
