After Bill setback, Modi turns focus to women voters in Bengal; targets TMC
Ranchi, April 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sharpened his focus on women voters in West Bengal, turning the failure of…
Photo: ANI
Ranchi, April 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sharpened his focus on women voters in West Bengal, turning the failure of the women’s reservation bill in the Lok Sabha into a key campaign plank while unveiling a series of welfare promises and attacking the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Addressing rallies in Bishnupur and Jhargram on Sunday, Modi positioned the BJP as a pro-women party, accusing the TMC of opposing the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which sought 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies. The bill failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha, despite 298 votes in favour and 230 against.
Women-Centric Welfare Push
Modi announced that if voted to power in West Bengal, a BJP government would provide free healthcare coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh for women, along with free dialysis in government hospitals. He also promised Rs 36,000 annual assistance for women and Rs 21,000 support for pregnant women.
New mothers, he said, would receive Rs 5,000 for their daughters’ education along with an additional Rs 50,000 grant. Women entrepreneurs would be eligible for loans up to Rs 20 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, while women engaged in agriculture would get an extra Rs 9,000 annually.
Attack Over Women’s Reservation Bill
Using the stalled legislation to target the TMC, Modi alleged that the party “betrayed women” by opposing their political representation. He claimed the ruling party resorted to “deceit and trickery” to block the bill and prevent women from getting 33% reservation.
He further argued that the TMC fears women voters who are increasingly raising concerns over law and order in the state.
Election Framed as Identity Battle
Beyond women-focused issues, Modi described the West Bengal Assembly election as a fight to protect the state’s “identity and legacy.” He accused the TMC of pursuing a “dangerous agenda” that prioritises infiltrators over local citizens and alleged that governance in the state has been marked by corruption and neglect of public welfare.
The Prime Minister also highlighted concerns of tribal communities, claiming they face inadequate access to education, healthcare, irrigation, and livelihoods under the current regime.
Development Pitch and Political Messaging
Reinforcing the BJP’s broader agenda, Modi pointed to central schemes such as expanded MSP coverage for minor forest produce and the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. He promised that Bengal would receive full benefits of such initiatives under a BJP government, similar to other party-ruled states.
Blending welfare promises with political attacks, Modi’s campaign in Bengal underscores a clear strategy: using the fallout of the women’s reservation bill to consolidate women voters while framing the BJP as the party of empowerment and the TMC as an obstacle to it.
