New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday signalled a major political push in West Bengal, asserting that the state is ready for change as he arrived to release the BJP’s election manifesto, or ‘Sankalp Patra’, in Kolkata.
In a post on X, HM Shah said, “Bengal, weary of TMC, now seeks change. Today in Kolkata, I will release BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ on the basis of freeing Bengal from TMC’s ‘reign of terror’. Thereafter, I am eager to connect with the brothers and sisters of the state through a public meeting in Debra, West Medinipur, and a roadshow in Kharagpur.”
The visit comes amid intensified political activity in the state, with the Bharatiya Janata Party stepping up its campaign against the ruling Trinamool Congress ahead of key elections.
According to party sources, the manifesto is expected to focus heavily on allegations of corruption and misgovernance against the Trinamool Congress government. The BJP is likely to promise a White Paper detailing what it describes as 15 years of irregularities under the current regime.
The party is also likely to highlight a crackdown on alleged mafia networks operating in sectors such as coal, sand and stone mining, positioning law and order as a central campaign issue.
On the welfare front, the BJP may promise financial assistance of Rs 3,000 per month for beneficiaries of the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme, along with a similar monthly support for unemployed youth under a proposed ‘Yuva Sathi’ programme.
In addition, the manifesto is expected to outline plans to develop Singur as an industrial hub and propose major infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity between North and South Bengal, including the expansion of roads and airports.
Addressing long-standing demands of state government employees, the party is also likely to promise clearance of all pending Dearness Allowance dues within 45 days of coming to power.
Party leaders said the ‘Sankalp Patra’ is designed to combine sharp political attacks on the ruling party with welfare assurances and development-focused commitments as the BJP seeks to expand its footprint in the state.
Reiterating his message, HM Shah said in his post on X that the party’s vision is centred on “freeing Bengal from TMC’s ‘reign of terror’” and connecting directly with people through public outreach programmes across the state.
(IANS)
