BJP promises CAA implementation in West Bengal manifesto

KOLKATA: The BJP has in its West Bengal Assembly election manifesto, promised to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019.

Union home minister Amit Shah released the party manifesto here today.

The manifesto, named Sonar Bangla Sankalp Patra, also promises that the refugees, who have been staying in West Bengal over the past 70 years, will be granted Indian citizenship.

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Releasing the manifesto, Shah also promised that each refugee family would get Rs 10,000 annually for five years.

The CAA is being opposed tooth and nail in neighbouring Assam which is also going to polls along with West Bengal. At least five persons have also lost their lives protesting against the Act in December 2019. The Congress has promised to bring in a legislation against the CAA if voted to power in Assam.

The other promises in the manifesto include free education for women from kindergarten to post-graduate level, 33 per cent reservation for women in the state government jobs among others.

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The BJP has been eyeing for West Bengal and political analysts often put the CAA as a “bait” to woo voters in the state. Despite all out efforts of the BJP, Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress still enjoys a far better chance to retain power in the state.