TMC Unveils 'Banglar Jonno Didir 10 Potigya' Manifesto for 2026 Assembly Polls

Strengthening its bid for a fourth consecutive term, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) officially released its manifesto for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections on Friday. Titled "Banglar Jonno Didir 10 Potigya" (Didi’s 10 Promises for the People of Bengal), the document outlines a roadmap focused on expanding the state's existing social welfare architecture while positioning the party as the primary shield against central overreach. The manifesto, released by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, highlights 10 core pledges aimed at socio-economic upliftment and infrastructure development. To ensure broad accessibility across the state's diverse demographic, the party has published the document in six languages, including Bengali, English, Hindi, Urdu, Nepali, and Ol Chiki (Santhali). Key Highlights of the 10 Pledges The manifesto centers on a mix of enhanced financial benefits and new healthcare initiatives: Expansion of Lakshmir Bhandar: The party has promised a significant hike in the monthly financial assistance provided to women. Under the new proposal, General category recipients will see their monthly allowance increase from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500, while Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) recipients will receive ₹1,700, up from the current ₹1,200. Healthcare at Doorsteps: A new flagship campaign, ‘Duare Chikitsa’ (Medicine at Doorsteps), was announced. This initiative aims to organize community-level health camps to provide medical consultations and basic treatments directly to residents, building on the success of previous outreach programs. Youth and Employment: The ‘Yuva Shakti’ scheme will continue to provide a monthly stipend of ₹1,500 to unemployed youth, alongside a focus on modernizing school infrastructure—a proposal the Chief Minister noted has already received cabinet approval. Agrarian Support: The party pledged a dedicated ₹30,000 crore agriculture budget to facilitate the modernization of farming practices and provide increased support to landless laborers. Political Positioning During the unveiling, Mamata Banerjee framed the election as a critical junction for West Bengal’s identity. She criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the opposition of intending to "completely change" the state's cultural and political fabric. Banerjee asserted that her administration remains the sole barrier to such a transformation, promising to protect the state's autonomy and the rights of its citizens. The manifesto also emphasizes the administration's past achievements, such as the rise in institutional deliveries from 58% to 99.95%, as a testament to the party’s governance record over its prior three terms. As the state moves toward a multi-phase election starting in late April, the TMC’s "10 Promises" serve as the cornerstone of their campaign, seeking to consolidate its base through direct welfare and a strong regionalist narrative.