BJP counters TMC largesse with Annapurna Yojana, 5.7k cr package
Times of India | 16 March 2026
Kolkata: Within hours of the EC announcing the poll schedule on Sunday, Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya promised Rs 3,000 per month to women under the Annapurna Yojana, apart from implementing the special package of Rs 5,700 crore for women. He also promised that the BJP would implement the 7th Pay Commission for employees immediately after assuming office.
"The new govt will be formed by the second week of May and we will run the govt from the Writers' Building," Bhattacharya said while addressing the media.
"The rule of law will be established in the state again. It will be an inclusive govt that does not believe in the politics of division and hatred," Bhattacharya said.
Harping on the BJP's plan for rapid industrialisation and investments in heavy industries in Bengal, Bhattacharya said that the BJP-led govt in the state would put equal stress on agriculture and industry. "There will be investments in heavy industries and a lot of job opportunities will be created within one year of the govt formation. Migrant workers will start returning to the state after job opportunities are created in the state," Bhattacharya said.
While Bhattacharya hinted at rapid industrialisation in the state, he said that the govt would need to acquire land for industry. "But that will not happen through acquiring multi-crop land. If land is acquired for industries, farmers will get three times the market price. The solatium amount will be doubled and the farmers will get a share in the project," Bhattacharya said.
Bhattacharya also reiterated the BJP's promise to give Rs 3,000 per month to women under the proposed Annapurna Yojana scheme. "A special economic package has already been announced for women," he said. "We will start implementing the promises made in the election manifesto from the 42nd day of the election results," Bhattacharya added.
He, however, hinted that the party did not rely much on dole politics and said: "Dole does not ensure allegiance to a party. Those who get the dole know it is sourced from their own money. If Lakhsmir Bhandar was the sole reason for women voting for Trinamool, BJP would not have won so many seats in the panchayat polls," he said.
Welcoming the ECI's step to hold elections in two phases, Bhattacharya said that the election could not be held while stopping the special intensive revision "midway". "We saw the violence and non-cooperation from the state govt during the SIR. Despite that, we have faith in the ECI and they will come out with an error-free electoral roll," he said.