সোনার বাংলা সংকল্প পত্র প্রকাশ করলেন শ্রী @AmitShah জী। #SonarBanglaSonkolpoPotro pic.twitter.com/hhIlglfALE
— BJP Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) March 21, 2021
THE Bhartiya Janata Party issued its West Bengal manifesto on Sunday, pledging to apply the Citizenship (Amendment) Act at the first Cabinet meeting if elected. It also pledged one job for every family in the state, with “chaakri” emerging as a major election issue.
“Sonar Bangla Sankalpa Patra,” and stated, “We have decided that we will implement the CAA in the first Cabinet meeting itself, in addition to approving the Ayushman Bharat and PM-Kisan for the benefit of the poor.” said Home Minister Amit Shah
While the Modi government passed the CAA in December 2019, it is yet to go into effect because the rules have not been alerted. With poll-bound Assam opposing the CAA while sizeable parts of West Bengal support it, the BJP has been walking a fine line on the issue.
To ensure a “infiltration-free” and “appeasement-free” Bengal, Shah said the BJP will take strict measures against illegal infiltration, while also providing Rs 10,000 per year for every refugee family for five years through direct benefit transfer. He also pledged Mahishya, Tili, and other Hindu communities OBC reservation, a Rs 3,000 monthly pension for Matuas and Dalpatis, and making Bengali obligatory in schools until Class 10.
The party pledged free education for girls from kindergarten to PG, free public transportation for all women, and 33% reservation for them in government employment.
Other pledges made by the BJP include a Sonar Bangla fund worth Rs 11,000 crore to promote art and literature, a Tagore Prize on the lines of the Nobel Prize, a Rs 20,000 crore Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar Fund to assist infrastructure construction of schools and universities on par with IITs and IIMs, and a Kolkata fund for the city. PM Modi said at an election rally in Bankura that BJP governments at the state and national levels would ensure “double-engine growth.” Modi claimed there was graffiti on walls in the state depicting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee playing football with his head, which he said was against Bengali culture, adding, “Didi, you can kick me, you can play football with my head, but I will not allow you to kick Bengal’s growth and people’s dreams.”
Sisir Adhikari, a three-time Trinamool MP, joined the BJP at a poll meeting in Agra, East Midnapore, addressed by Shah. Sisir Adhikari, the father of Mamata aide-turned-arch rival Suvendu Adhikari, was slated to cross the border.
Modi accused the Trinamool government of doing nothing for growth and claimed that if people had known Mamata’s true colors, they would never have voted for her. He claimed that the Trinamool chief was now questioning the operation of EVMs in advance of her defeat.
Modi said of Chandana Bauri, the wife of a daily wager and the BJP candidate from Saltora in Bankura, “Chandana is the representative of Bengal’s people.” She exemplifies Bengal’s growth situation. You should be able to help her win by a large margin.”
Modi accused the Mamata administration of systematic corruption. “Wherever there is a scheme, there will be a scam.” He claimed that the state had failed to enforce the Krishaknidhi Yojana, leaving Bengal’s farmers in need.
“You keep saying ‘Khela hobe (Let the game begin),’ but the people of Bengal have decided ‘Khela sesh hobe (Your game is over),” the Prime Minister said, adding that on May 2, “Khela sesh hobe, Didi chole jabe, asol poribartan ashbe (The game will be over, Didi will be driven out, and real change will be ushered in).”
Shah asked Bengalis whether they wanted a “Sonar Bangla” or a “bhaipo (nephew)” as CM, and claimed that under a BJP government, “no one will pay even 5 paise cut money.”
The Union Home Minister also stated that a BJP government would not impose any restrictions on religious practices, such as Durga idol immersion or Saraswati Puja.
Sisir Adhikari, who was on stage with Shah, said, “Save Bengal from massacres.” We are here for you, and our whole family is here for you. “Jai Ram, Jai Bharat.” Suvendu expected that he would easily defeat Mamata from Nandigram.