West Bengal: BJP Promises UCC in 6 Months, ₹3000 Youth Allowance in Manifesto

Union Home Minister Amit Shah officially released the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) election manifesto, titled 'Bharosa Patra', for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections on Friday. Highlighting the party's vision for the state, Shah described the document as a roadmap for a 'Developed Bengal'. The manifesto focuses heavily on social welfare, legal reforms, and economic empowerment, aiming to address the concerns of the youth, women, and government employees in the state.

Implementation of Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

In a significant policy announcement, the BJP has committed to implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in West Bengal within six months of assuming power. According to Amit Shah, this move is part of the party's broader agenda to ensure legal uniformity. On top of that, the party promised to release three comprehensive 'White Papers' addressing critical issues in the state: corruption, political violence, and the current state of law and order. These documents are intended to provide a factual assessment of the governance under the incumbent administration.

Financial Support for Youth and Women

The 'Bharosa Patra' outlines substantial direct benefit transfers to support the state's residents. The BJP has promised a monthly financial allowance of ₹3000 for unemployed youth to assist them during their job search. Plus, the manifesto guarantees a monthly payment of ₹3000 to women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, directly credited to their bank accounts. These measures are presented as a means to alleviate financial distress and promote economic independence among the state's vulnerable populations.

Employment Targets and Employee Welfare

Addressing the issue of unemployment, the BJP has set a target of creating 1 crore jobs for the youth of West Bengal over the next five years. For state government employees, the manifesto promises to resolve long-standing grievances regarding the Dearness Allowance (DA). Amit Shah stated that the payment of DA would be ensured within 45 days of the party forming the government. This move is aimed at gaining the support of the large workforce within the state's administrative machinery.

Political Context and Critique of the TMC Government

During the launch event, Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. He characterized the current tenure as an era of fear and disappointment for the people of Bengal, while shah noted that despite receiving multiple mandates, the TMC failed to meet the expectations of the public. He emphasized that the 'Bharosa Patra' isn't just a manifesto but a 'pledge of trust' to lead the state out of its current challenges and towards a path of constructive growth and safety.