Assembly Elections 2026: TMC Releases Manifesto; What Are 'Didi's 10 Promises' For Bengal Voters?

Kolkata: For the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, the state's ruling party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), released its election manifesto on Friday. Announcing its electoral pledges under the banner 'Didi's 10 Promises', West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC Chairperson Mamata Banerjee announced a monthly allowance for women and the unemployed.

Mamata stated that under the 'Lakshmi Bhandar' scheme, women belonging to the General Category will receive ₹1,500 per month, while women from the SC/ST categories will receive ₹1,700 per month. She further added that unemployed youth would receive ₹1,500 per month as a pocket allowance.

What did TMC announce in poll manifesto?

While unveiling the election manifesto, Mamata stated that the core foundation of the Trinamool Congress's document lies in "Didi's 10 Promises"—a blend of pledges focused on welfare and development. She noted that the party has promised to increase the financial assistance provided under the 'Lakshmi Bhandar' scheme by ₹500; consequently, the monthly aid for women in the General Category will rise to ₹1,500, and for SC/ST beneficiaries, it will increase to ₹1,700.

Furthermore, she announced that the party would continue the monthly allowance of ₹1,500 for unemployed youth under the 'Banglar Yuva-Sathi' scheme. She pledged that, upon forming the next government in the state, an agricultural budget of ₹30,000 crore would be introduced to provide assistance to farmers, including landless farmers.

What did Mamata Banerjee say about 'Duare Chikitsa'?

While announcing her electoral pledges, Mamata Banerjee stated, "We will launch 'Duare Chikitsa' (door-to-door medical services). We will introduce this at every polling booth; we will organize 'Duare Chikitsa' camps..." She also announced plans to introduce e-learning facilities within the education sector. She remarked, "Thousands of schools will be modernized with e-learning facilities." She stated, "In the coming days, we will create 7-8 new districts, blocks, and even new municipalities."

What are 'Didi's 10 Promises'?

1. Enhancement of the 'Lakshmi Bhandar' Scheme: Financial assistance of ₹1,500 per month (₹18,000 annually) will be provided to women belonging to the General Category, while women from SC/ST categories will receive ₹1,700 per month (₹20,400 annually).

2. 'Yuva Sathi' Scheme: Unemployed youth will be provided with a monthly 'pocket money' allowance of ₹1,500 (₹18,000 annually) until they secure employment.

3. The Promise of Housing: It will be ensured that every family in Bengal receives a 'pucca house' (permanent dwelling).

4. 'Duare Chikitsa' (Doorstep Healthcare): Medical treatment facilities will be made available close to people's homes by organizing annual health camps in every block and city.

5. Agricultural Budget and Assistance: A separate agricultural budget of ₹30,000 crore will be allocated for farmers, and special assistance will be provided to landless farmers.

6. Clean Drinking Water: Piped drinking water will be supplied to every household across the state.

7. Educational Upgradation: Under the 'Bengal Shikshayatan' scheme, the infrastructure of all government schools will be upgraded to world-class standards, and e-learning facilities will be introduced.

8. Pensions for the Elderly: In addition to ensuring uninterrupted pension payments for current beneficiaries, the scope of the scheme will be expanded to cover all eligible senior citizens.

9. Economic Hubs and Infrastructure: New ports, logistics hubs, and Global Trade Centers will be constructed to establish Bengal as the gateway for trade in Eastern India.

10. Administrative Reorganization: To streamline administrative processes, 7 new districts and new Urban Local Bodies—specifically municipalities—will be constituted.

What was Mamata's appeal for Bengal voters?

While unveiling the manifesto, Mamata Banerjee appealed to the people of Bengal, stating, "I urge the people of Bengal to unite and fight against the BJP to save Bengal." Describing this manifesto as a people-centric roadmap, Banerjee stated that the party's promises aim to counter what she termed the Central Government's increasing interference. She appealed to the people to safeguard Bengal's identity. Mamata asserted, "President's Rule has been 'unofficially imposed' in West Bengal, because the BJP knows that it faces defeat in the upcoming assembly elections."