Bengal polls BJP manifesto- Economic growth with empowerment of weak & vulnerable
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Kolkata, March 22: Promising to build a 'Sonar Bangla' by providing employment, strengthening social security schemes and vowing to clear the implementation of the CAA in the first cabinet meeting of the new government, the BJP on Sunday unveiled its manifesto for the West Bengal elections.
Speaking at the event, Shah said, "We have decided to call our manifesto a 'Sankalp Patra'. It is not just a manifesto but a resolution letter for West Bengal by the country's largest party. We will create a Sonar Bangla". Unveiling the 'Sonar Bangla Sankalpa Patra' at EZCC in Salt Lake, Home Minister Amit Shah said that BJP will ensure the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme and the PM-Kisan programme in the state, besides giving at least one job per family.
The BJP's manifesto mentioned that no infiltrators to be allowed in Bengal and border fencing will be strengthened with CCTVs and other devices. "The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will be implemented during the first cabinet meeting after forming the government," Shah said. However, the Home Ministry is yet to form rules for the Law that was passed in 2019.
Assuring to provide arrears of Rs 18,000 to 75 lakh farmers of the state under PM-Kisan, the BJP promised Rs 10,000 per year for them, if voted to power, with Rs 6,000 being contributed by the Centre and the rest by the state. The party also announced a Rs 5,000 crore intervention fund to assure farmers' economic security, besides accidental insurance worth Rs 3 lakh for small farmers and fishermen. In the manifesto, the party promised a Sonar Bangla fund worth Rs 11,000 crore to promote art, literature and other such sectors, and a Tagore Prize on the lines of the Nobel Prize.
The party also promised a Satyajit Ray Award on the lines of Academy Award and take the Kolkata International Film Festival few notches higher. The BJP also promised a seventh pay commission implementation for state government employees and 33 percent reservation for women in state government jobs. Other than reservation and free education for women, the promise-list announced to increase widow pension to Rs 3,000 from Rs 1,000 and set up 12 battalion comprising women only.
Political observers in Bengal said the announcement of 33 percent reservation for women in state government jobs and a free ride in state transports is aimed to woo the women electorates who share half stake of the state’s total electorates. Promising to act tough on infiltration, the BJP promised "strictest border security". The party also promised free KG to PG education for all women and free travel for them in public transport. The party also said 'Annapurna Canteen' will be set up across the state to provide subsidised cooked food three times a day at Rs 5 per meal, besides subsidised ration will be provided through PDS, rice or wheat at Rs 1 per kg, dal at Rs 30 per kg, salt at Rs 3 per kg and sugar at Rs 5 per kg.
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee criticised the promises, calling it a 'jumla-laden manifesto'. "A party that cannot find sufficient candidates for all 294 seats in Bengal is now faltering to find local leadership for such key events," he said, taking a dig at the BJP as Shah released the manifesto. TMC MP Saugata Roy said many promises in the manifesto were poor copies of the announcements made by the TMC. "They have copied our already popular Maa Canteen which gives the public nutritious lunch at Rs 5. Even the sops for girl students is derived from our internationally acclaimed projects," he claimed.
Elections to the 294-member state Assembly will be held in eight phases starting from March 27 with the final round of voting taking place on April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.
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