In Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) focuses its 2026 election manifesto on women, minorities, and Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SC/STs) in an effort to counter the BJP's challenge and secure a fourth consecutive term.
The manifesto, which includes 10 pledges, combines welfare expansion, outreach to minorities, and targeted initiatives for tribal communities—a political strategy analysts say reflects the electoral arithmetic that has consistently favored the TMC since it ousted the Left Front in 2011.
A key element of the manifesto is the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, widely considered the ruling party's most potent welfare program.
Banerjee announced an increase in the scheme's monthly assistance to ₹1,700 for SC/ST women and ₹1,500 for women in general categories.
This move is seen as a direct appeal to women voters, who constitute nearly half of West Bengal's electorate and have increasingly turned out in larger numbers than men.
A TMC leader stated, "The Lakshmir Bhandar increase is not just an economic decision—it is a political signal. Women voters have consistently stood by Mamata Banerjee, and the party wants to reinforce that trust."
Beyond financial assistance, the manifesto promises to increase women's labor force participation from 44.7 per cent to 50 per cent over the next five years by expanding employment opportunities, strengthening self-help groups, and increasing credit circulation within these groups.
Other proposals include women's hostels in every district under the Karmanjali scheme, increased recruitment of women in the police force, and enhanced safety mechanisms through the 'Rattirer Sathi' mobile application.
The manifesto also promises 'Pink Booths' run by women police officers at key intersections in Kolkata and all-women night patrol teams on major roads.
While women and minorities form the core of the manifesto's appeal, the Muslim community represents its electoral strategy.
Muslims constitute nearly 30 per cent of the electorate. Concentrated in districts such as Murshidabad, Malda, South 24 Paraganas, and Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur, the community plays a decisive role in more than 114 assembly constituencies. The TMC achieved a near-sweep in these seats in 2021.
In the 2021 elections, the TMC won 20 of Murshidabad's 22 seats, eight of 12 in Malda, and four of six in Uttar Dinajpur.
The manifesto's outreach to the Muslim community includes promises to protect and utilize Waqf properties for community welfare, expand job-oriented courses at Aliah University, and introduce soft-skill training in 27 industrial training institutes located in minority-dominated areas.
This focus on Waqf properties comes against the backdrop of political tension surrounding the issue over the past year.
Violent clashes during protests against the amended Waqf law in Murshidabad's Samserganj, Suti, and Dhulian areas in April last year resulted in at least three deaths.
At the time, Banerjee assured the Muslim community that her government would "not implement the new Act in West Bengal."
The controversy resurfaced recently after the state's Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department directed district magistrates to upload details of around 82,000 Waqf properties to the Centre's UMID portal by December 6.
In addition to women and minorities, the manifesto also seeks to consolidate support among Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Of the 294 seats in the assembly, 84 are reserved for these communities – 68 for Scheduled Castes and 16 for Scheduled Tribes – making them crucial battlegrounds between the TMC and the BJP.
The manifesto promises expansion of educational and livelihood opportunities through strengthened Yogyashree coaching, 100 per cent scholarship coverage for SC, ST, and OBC students, and expansion of SC-ST hostels in every block.
It also pledges to intensify efforts to secure ST status for the Mahato community and Kisan Jatis, while strengthening Large Area Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPS) to support tribal self-help groups and improve financial inclusion.
This outreach to tribal and backward communities is politically significant given the intense contest between the TMC and the BJP in the western districts of Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram, and parts of Paschim Medinipur.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the ruling party regained control of seats such as Bankura, Jhargram, and Medinipur from the BJP, although the saffron party retained Purulia.
In the 2021 assembly elections, the TMC won 36 of the 68 SC-reserved seats and nine of the 16 ST seats, while the BJP secured 32 SC seats and seven ST seats.
For the BJP, which has been attempting to expand its base among welfare beneficiaries while consolidating Hindu votes, the TMC's social coalition presents a formidable electoral barrier.
Political observers say the 2026 assembly contest may once again hinge on whether Banerjee succeeds in holding together this coalition.
"If Mamata Banerjee retains the women vote, minority support, and makes inroads among SC-ST voters in the western belt, it becomes extremely difficult for the opposition to dislodge the TMC," a political analyst said.
