A public meeting ahead of West Bengal polls in Dinhata, Cooch Behar district.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The West Bengal 2026 polls, with All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as main contenders, are shaping up an intense contest in promising better governance. Across party lines, manifestos have become the key tool to engage with voters, with aggressive promises on the aspects of health, education, employment, and social welfare policies.

The Trinamool Congress set an early tone by announcing a monthly assistance of ₹1,500 for youths (aged 21-40). In response, the BJP raised the stakes by promising ₹3,000 per month for unemployed youths. Meanwhile, Congress opted for the middle ground, with a ₹2,000 monthly assistance promise. Interestingly, Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Front, leaned to its social welfare justice plank, offering one permanent job for family and filling up all vacant government posts within five years.

Published – April 20, 2026 01:37 pm IST