Amit Shah to Unveil BJP's Bengal Manifesto in March Rally
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to release the Bharatiya Janata Party's manifesto for the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections during his upcoming visit to the state by the end of this month. Shah is expected to hold a major rally at Raidighi in South 24 Parganas on March 28, although the exact date has not been officially confirmed by his office.
Manifesto Focus on Employment and Welfare
During a previous meeting in South 24 Parganas as part of the Bengal BJP's 'Parivartan Yatra' on March 2, Shah announced a comprehensive roadmap centered on employment generation and the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission. Sources within the Bengal BJP indicate that the manifesto will retain all existing welfare schemes run by the state government, with increased allocations targeted at women, the elderly, and youth. The party has already pledged a special package of Rs 5,700 crore for women.
Key proposals in the manifesto include:
- A commitment to rapid industrialization in Bengal, with investments in heavy industries.
- Land acquisition for industrial projects, offering farmers three times the market price and doubling the solatium amount.
- Providing farmers with a share in industrial projects.
- A white paper on the Trinamool Congress's governance over the past 15 years.
- A review of reservation policies in jobs.
- More 'Agniveer' camps to encourage youth participation in the armed forces.
BJP Leadership Visits and Strategy Meetings
BJP national president Nitin Nabin is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on Tuesday morning for a two-day visit to Bengal. He will hold meetings with party workers and leaders from nearly 110 constituencies across the Howrah, Hooghly, Midnapore, and Kolkata zones to develop a zonal strategy. Additionally, Nabin will meet with BJP's social media and IT cell representatives to discuss the party's election narrative. He will conduct special sessions with senior leaders and the election management team during his stay.
Political Shifts and Candidate Speculation
In a recent development, former Congress leader Santosh Pathak from north Kolkata joined the BJP on Monday, sparking speculation about his potential inclusion in the candidate list. Pathak, a four-time councillor from ward 45 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, contested the Chowringhee seat on a Congress ticket in 2021. He criticized the Trinamool Congress for alleged vote manipulation and expressed confidence in BJP's ability to dislodge the current government. Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya stated that the party would decide on Pathak's future role, emphasizing that his Congress affiliation is in the past.
The opposition BJP has already issued 'charge sheets' on the Trinamool Congress's performance in each of Bengal's 294 constituencies, as the party intensifies its campaign efforts ahead of the 2026 polls.
