In a move that has sent ripples through the political corridors of West Bengal, the Mamata Banerjee-led government tabled a massive ₹4.06 lakh crore interim budget for the fiscal year 2026-27. With the Assembly elections looming on the horizon, the Chief Minister has effectively turned the state budget into a primary campaign tool, showering various sectors with “gifts” aimed at consolidating her grassroots support.

The ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ Surge

The centerpiece of the session was undoubtedly the announcement regarding Lakshmir Bhandar. Addressing a press conference following the session, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee confirmed that beneficiaries will receive an additional ₹500 per month starting this February.

“What we say, we implement,” the CM asserted. “We do not make promises just because it is an election year. We have consistently stood by the women of Bengal, and this increase is a testament to our commitment.”

Broad-Based Welfare: From Gig Workers to ASHA

The budget didn’t stop at women’s welfare. In a strategic expansion of social security, the government has integrated Civic Volunteers, Village Green Police, ICDS workers, and ASHA workers into enhanced pay structures.

ASHA and Anganwadi Workers: Received a monthly hike of ₹1,000.

Social Security for Delivery Boys: Recognizing the gig economy, the CM announced a new portal for delivery partners to apply for state-backed social security benefits.

Youth Employment: Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya introduced the ‘Banglar Yuva Sathi’ scheme, promising ₹1,500 monthly to unemployed youth if the TMC returns to power.

Political Friction: The Center-State Tug of War

Mamata Banerjee used the floor to launch a scathing attack on the Union Government, alleging a systematic financial blockade. “Bengal is owed over ₹2 lakh crore by the Center. Despite being first in 100-days’ work and rural housing for five consecutive years, our funds have been choked,” she claimed. She framed the state’s self-funded projects as a matter of “Bengal’s pride” against central “deprivation.”

Opposition Retort: Suvendu Adhikari Slams ‘Poll Gimmick’

The budget session was far from harmonious. Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, dismissed the announcements as a “desperate attempt to buy votes.”

Adhikari countered the CM’s narrative by hailing the Union Budget 2026, stating that the Center has provided significant infrastructure gifts like the Varanasi-Siliguri High-Speed Rail and the Dankuni-Surat Freight Corridor. “The people of Bengal know that as long as this corrupt government remains, the true benefits of central schemes will never reach the common man,” Adhikari remarked, labeling the state budget a “hollow political manifesto.”

The Election Backdrop

As the state heads toward a high-stakes election in April-May, this budget serves as the TMC’s opening gambit. By focusing on direct cash transfers and social security for grassroots workers, the ruling party aims to blunt the BJP’s charges of unemployment and industrial stagnation. The political significance of this session lies in its clear messaging: the TMC is doubling down on its “Welfare State” identity to counter the BJP’s “Double Engine” development pitch.

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