Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday released its manifesto for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, placing “Didi’s 10 Pledges” at the core of its campaign strategy. The document outlines a wide range of financial and social commitments for women, youth, farmers, and households across the state.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the manifesto builds on what she described as a “new model of development” shaped over the past 15 years in West Bengal. The fresh set of promises, she asserted, is designed to sustain and accelerate that trajectory.
The manifesto claims that 1.72 crore people have been lifted out of poverty and that nearly 2 crore jobs have been generated in the state. It also states that unemployment has declined by 40 per cent, while highlighting progress in sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, electricity, and agriculture.
At the same time, the ruling party sharpened its political attack on the Centre, alleging that dues worth nearly Rs 2 lakh crore have been withheld. According to the document, this includes Rs 36,000 crore under the MGNREGA and Rs 16,000 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. TMC argued that delays in fund disbursal have adversely impacted development across sectors such as rural roads, drinking water, and healthcare.
Looking ahead, the manifesto sets ambitious economic targets. It envisions West Bengal becoming the country’s third-largest economy over the next decade and aims to build a Rs 40 lakh crore economy within five years. Plans include developing a global trade hub, strengthening port infrastructure, and expanding logistics networks. Party insiders indicate that these economic proposals were shaped with inputs from economist and former finance minister Amit Mitra.
The document also addresses administrative and employee-related concerns. It promises implementation of the 7th Pay Commission in the state and clearance of pending Dearness Allowance arrears in a phased manner. Additionally, new administrative units are proposed to improve governance.
Political observers note that the manifesto has been carefully crafted to appeal to a broad voter base, combining welfare assurances with economic ambitions. With “Didi’s 10 Pledges” at its forefront, the TMC is expected to rely heavily on this document as a key campaign tool in the run-up to the elections.