Kolkata

Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday unveiled the election manifesto of the Indian National Congress for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, outlining a series of welfare-focused promises.

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Kharge announced key commitments aimed at social and economic support. These include free education for women up to the postgraduate level and a monthly financial assistance of ₹2,000 for women.

The manifesto also promises significant healthcare and judicial reforms, including fully state-funded health insurance coverage of up to ₹10 lakh for citizens and the establishment of fast-track courts to enhance women’s safety.

For farmers, the party has proposed an annual financial assistance of ₹15,000, along with provisions for free electricity and improvements in procurement systems to boost agricultural income and security.

The announcement comes amid an ongoing political contest with the ruling All India Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had earlier unveiled her party’s manifesto titled “10 Protigya”. Among its key promises is the expansion of welfare initiatives such as the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme and the launch of Duare Chikitsa, aimed at providing doorstep healthcare services.

Polling for the 294-member Assembly will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.

READ MORE: Against odds, Saba Anjum becomes India’s speedy forward

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress secured a sweeping victory with 213 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party emerged as the principal opposition with 77 seats. The Congress and Left Front failed to win any seats in that election.