Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing an election rally in Krishnanagar, West Bengal, on Thursday, April 23, 2026, unveiled “10 key guarantees” specifically designed to empower women and children ahead of the state’s second phase of assembly elections.Making a direct pitch to the female electorate, the Prime Minister promised a comprehensive welfare package ranging from annual cash transfers of ₹36,000 to enhanced street safety while positioning “Nari Shakti” (women power) as the cornerstone of the BJP’s development vision for Bengal.
While the BJP promotes these schemes as a path to financial independence, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has previously critiqued such promises as electoral bait, framing the contest as a high-stakes battle for the trust of West Bengal’s nearly 3.7 crore women voters.
Financial Independence and Enhanced Safety Nets
The guarantees outline a significant shift toward direct benefit transfers and institutional safety. Under the proposed ‘Matri Shakti Bhorosa Card,’ the BJP pledged ₹36,000 annually to women, alongside ₹50,000 in financial assistance for young women completing their graduation.
To address safety concerns, Modi announced the establishment of women-only police stations in every block and a massive recruitment drive for women in the state police force. “A guarantee from Modi means a guarantee that the promise will definitely be fulfilled,” the Prime Minister stated, also promising ₹21,000 for expectant mothers and loans up to ₹20 lakh under the Mudra scheme to create “Lakhpati Didis” across the state.
Health, Housing, and the Battle for Bengal
Expanding on the central government’s existing framework, the Prime Minister committed to providing free cervical cancer vaccinations and sickle cell screenings for daughters in Bengal. Furthermore, he promised that under the PM Awas Yojana, houses would be registered in the names of women to ensure “full ownership rights,” supported by a ₹1.5 lakh deposit for construction.
This strategic focus comes at a time when Bengal has seen intense political friction; recently, the BJP submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission accusing the TMC of voter intimidation, while the TMC has countered by labeling central schemes as a “disguise” for altering the state’s political map through delimitation.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that any political discourse placing the welfare and safety of women at its heart is a step toward a more equitable society. However, true empowerment transcends poll-time promises and cash incentives; it requires a sustained commitment to institutional safety, quality education, and the dismantling of grassroots violence that often stifles the voices of our sisters in Bengal.
As the state moves further into the election cycle, we hope to see a shift from aggressive political rhetoric toward a healthy, issue-based dialogue that prioritizes the lived experiences of citizens over tactical optics. Empowerment should not be a seasonal guarantee but a permanent constitutional reality.
Modi's 10 guarantees to the sisters of Bengal.@narendramodi pic.twitter.com/QE1CVFFVv2
— Jitesh Jethanandani (@jethanandani14) April 23, 2026
