KOLKATA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday issued the BJP’s election manifesto for the two-phase West Bengal Assembly elections, promising $3,000 per month for women and the unemployed, new industries, and enforcement of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), among others.
“BJP will win the elections with an absolute majority and will form its government in Bengal after May 4. I appeal to the people not to be afraid of anyone. Cast your votes without fear,” Shah said while issuing the 15-page statement titled ‘Bharuchar Shabooth’ (Pledge of Faith) in all languages, including English.
“Your next prime minister will be a son of the soil, a Bengali speaker, and a capable person,” Shah said at the press conference, amid speculation that the party may not field a prime ministerial candidate until the results are announced on May 4.
“All BJP-ruled states will follow the UCC law. Bengal will not be an exception. If the nation’s law and constitution treat every citizen equally, how can one citizen have four wives while another citizen can have only one?” Shah said.
The statement focused largely on women and youth. Women make up a large part of the voting base of the Trinamool Congress, which is seeking a fourth consecutive term.
In the February state budget, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee increased the monthly financial assistance to women under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme by $500 – Up to Rs 1500 for general category for women and $1,700 for women from scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.
“Women will receive $3000 between the first and fifth of every month. They can ride state buses for free. Shah announced that there will be 33% reservation for women in all government jobs in the state, including the police force.
“And also financial assistance $21,000 and six food supplies will be distributed to pregnant women from financially marginalized families. We will empower 7.5 million women under the Centre’s Lakhpati Didi scheme. Shah said that two all-women battalions, named Matangini Hazra and Rani Shiromani, will join the state Reserve Police Force.
The manifesto promised to give priority to women in industrial policy, grant revised monthly fees to anganwadi, prani mitra and Asha workers, measures to prevent child marriage, free HPV vaccination for all girls and women under 40, and free breast cancer screening over 40.
“We will also provide $50,000 for girls upon admission to graduation courses. We will reopen all cases of atrocities against women, such as the Sandeshkhali case, and provide immediate financial compensation and legal assistance. For this reason, a committee will be formed headed by a Supreme Court judge.”
Focusing on youth, Shah promised to increase monthly financial assistance to the unemployed $1500 – announced by the TMC government in February under the Yuva Sathi Scheme – to $3000 so that they get jobs.
“We will create 10 million new jobs and self-employment opportunities over the next five years, reduce lifespans of up to five years for those who have not had government jobs since 2015 due to corruption and restore abolished jobs and permanent vacancies,” Shah said.
The statement promised a Banglar Udyam credit card program for startups, under which 500,000 people will get financial support of up to $10 lakh each. ” $“Of it, 5 lakh will be provided as a grant and the rest as an interest-free loan,” Shah said.
The manifesto also promised a sports university, content creation labs to train people in animation and gaming, and a one-time financial assistance of Rs 15,000 for students preparing for competitive exams.
Focusing on industry, the BJP promised an investment-friendly business environment through a single-window clearance system, the creation of an industrial park in Singur – where Tata Motors abandoned its small automobile venture due to Mamata Banerjee’s opposition to land acquisition in 2008 – and four industrial parks across the state.
“We will make Haldia a hub for port-led development and blue economy, ensure adequate credit and technology support to small and medium-sized enterprises, modernize the ailing tea industry in the hills, and revive Bengal’s famous jute industry,” Shah said.
“We will also establish a defense industry to protect the border with Bangladesh, develop steel mills and create coastal economic zones focusing on fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing,” Shah said.
While the TMC claims in its campaign that Bengalis will have to give up non-vegetarian food if the BJP comes to power, the manifesto made a lot of promises to fishermen.
“All fishermen will be registered under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and will get modern technology and financial assistance. We will work on projects to ensure pension, insurance and social security for fishermen, and encourage deep-sea fishing with subsidized boats,” Shah said.
Shah also said that healthcare facilities in Bengal would be upgraded if the BJP comes to power.
“North Bengal has always been neglected. We will build AIIMS and a cancer hospital in North Bengal. Modern government hospitals will also be set up in the Sundarbans and Jangalmahal district in the western districts,” Shah said.
TMC state general secretary Abhishek Banerjee hit back at Shah, saying that the BJP had made false promises to lure voters with money.
“Ahead of the Delhi elections in 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised that all women would receive a monthly assistance of Rs. $2,500. Ask the BJP how many women in Delhi got this money,” Banerjee said.
“The Shah has promised to provide 10 million new jobs. Please go and ask him whether the BJP has provided employment to 5 lakh people from Bengal after coming to power at the Centre,” Abhishek said.
Shah said the infiltrators from Bangladesh would be identified and deported within days of the BJP coming to power. “We will implement the ‘detect, delete and deport’ model. Cross-border infiltration and cattle smuggling will be stopped forever. We will acquire lands and start constructing fences within 45 days of the formation of the government. Modern technology will be used in the riverine border areas,” Shah said.
