NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is counting on a high-octane rally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday in Cooch Behar to give a boost to its election campaign in West Bengal as it prepares to release a comprehensive “vision document” designed to serve as a counter-narrative to the welfare promises made by the incumbent Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.
According to party functionaries, the upcoming vision document will outline a roadmap for infrastructure development and economic growth, highlighting significant infrastructure spending, improvement of law and order, and implementation of the 7th Pay Commission for state government employees.
The document includes input collected from the public, according to a party leader familiar with the developments. “Our teams have gone across the state seeking inputs from the people on their expectations and demands…” the leader said.
“The state government has deprived the people of Bengal of benefits like Ayushman Bharat and PM Kisan Yojana. More than 20,000 employees of the state government have been deprived of benefits as the 7th Pay Commission has not been implemented…” the leader added.
According to a person familiar with the details, while the BJP’s focus has been primarily on internal security — specifically concerns over illegal immigration — the comprehensive vision document covers key sectors ranging from agriculture and employment to women and youth empowerment.
On March 28, Union Home Minister Amit Shah issued an “indictment” attacking the TMC regime on multiple fronts, including allegations that in the absence of stringent controls and loopholes in the border fencing by the state government, West Bengal has become the main corridor for illegal infiltration, endangering the country. The state government has also been accused of misappropriating funds from MGNREGS, mid-day meals and housing projects.
The TMC has certainly responded to the allegations, pointing out that the state has its own schemes like Swasthya Sathi to meet healthcare needs. Instead, it blamed the Union government for withholding funds for the 100 Day Employment Scheme or MGNREGS since 2021, which is approximately $2 lakh crore.
In its statement, issued on March 20, the military council promised to provide financial aid to women and salaries to unemployed youth. $Rs 30,000 crore budget allocated for agriculture, housing for all and creation of 10 lakh jobs.
The BJP also aims to counter the TMC’s ‘buhirajoto’ (outside) tag by shifting its strategy to highlighting local state leaders. While leaders like Yogi Adityanath, Rekha Gupta and Devendra Fadnavis are set to participate in public programmes, the party is ensuring that the West Bengal leadership remains the face of awareness at the ground level.
“The Brigade Ground rally was a big event but this (Modi’s) rally is the first after implementation of the Model Law, so technically it is the first major election rally by the Prime Minister,” the leader quoted above said.
