BJP manifesto for West Bengal focuses on governance, welfare and border security

PTI, April 10, 2026, Kolkata: The BJP on Friday unveiled its manifesto for the West Bengal Assembly polls, which promised to plug infiltration, implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and proposed expansive welfare packages for women, youth, farmers and state government employees if the party wins the electoral battle.

Releasing the manifesto -- 'Sankalp Patra' -- here, Union Home Minister Amit Shah described it as a roadmap for "Sonar Bangla" and launched a blistering attack on the Mamata Banerjee government, alleging the last 15 years of the TMC's rule had been a "nightmare" for the people of the state.

"Bengal, weary of the TMC, now wants change," Shah said, seeking to turn the election into a referendum on corruption, political violence, infiltration and unemployment. The manifesto's sharpest political edge came in Shah's declaration that a BJP government would adopt a "detect, delete and deport" policy against infiltrators.

"Our BJP government in Bengal will adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards infiltration," the Home Minister stated.

The party promised to secure the state's borders, stop cattle smuggling and clear government land of "encroachers and infiltrators", underscoring the BJP's attempt to keep the campaign centred on the border belt stretching across North 24 Parganas, Nadia, Malda, Murshidabad and North Bengal.

The manifesto also promised that the Uniform Civil Code would be implemented in Bengal within six months of the BJP coming to power.

"The UCC has been implemented in several BJP-ruled states. We will implement it in Bengal within six months so that there is one law for every citizen. In Bengal, one law will be ensured for all citizens," Shah said.

In an apparent attempt to blunt criticism from the minorities, he added that the BJP would also enact a law guaranteeing every citizen the freedom to practise their religion.

The saffron party's manifesto was also heavy on welfare promises designed to breach the ruling party's strongest bastion -- women voters. Shah announced that every woman in Bengal would receive Rs 3,000 each month if the BJP came to power.

He also promised 33 per cent reservation for women in all government jobs, including the police, as well as free travel on public transport vehicles.

The promise is politically significant in a state where women now constitute nearly half the electorate. Last month, the TMC announced a Rs 500 increase in Lakshmir Bhandar in its own manifesto, taking the monthly payout to Rs 1,500 for general category women and Rs 1,700 for SC and ST beneficiaries.

The BJP manifesto also tried to tap discontent among unemployed youth and government employees. It promised unemployed youth a monthly allowance of Rs 3,000 and an additional Rs 15,000 to prepare for competitive examinations.

Those who lost jobs because of the school recruitment scam and other corruption-related cases would be given an age relaxation of up to five years, the BJP promised.

It also pledged transparent, merit-based recruitment and said deserving candidates would be given permanent jobs.