Bengal BJP faces growing questions over election promises

Just over three months after the BJP formed the government in West Bengal under chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, it is facing mounting scrutiny over the pace of delivering its election promises. While the government says it is implementing its commitments in phases, Opposition parties, employee organisations and intended beneficiaries argue that several of the BJP's flagship pledges remain delayed or only partially fulfilled.

Ahead of the 2026 Assembly election, the BJP promised a series of welfare measures, including Rs 3,000 a month for eligible women under the Annapurna Yojana, domestic LPG cylinders at Rs 400, 200 units of free electricity for households, resolution of the Dearness Allowance (DA) issue for state government employees within 45 days, action against corruption and the alleged 'cut money' culture, and improved public services. While the government has rolled out the Annapurna Yojana, several other promises are yet to be implemented.

Ironically, the Annapurna Yojana has emerged as the government's biggest challenge. Thousands of women say they have not received any money despite applying for the scheme and completing the verification process. Earlier rounds of scrutiny also saw a large number of applications rejected over alleged discrepancies or incomplete documentation, prompting questions about the verification mechanism.

The August instalment, expected at the beginning of the month, has also been delayed. Addressing the issue this week, Adhikari said verification was still underway and announced that payments would begin on 17 August. "There is no reason for confusion. Eligible beneficiaries will certainly receive the money," he said.

Adhikari clarified that only women who applied by 10 July and whose documents were found to be error-free during verification would receive payments on 17 August. Applicants who applied later or whose documents require further scrutiny will have to wait longer.

The chief minister also accused some social media users of spreading misinformation about the scheme. "The public is being misled. We are keeping a close watch. Legal action will be taken against those spreading fake information," he said. "The BJP will remain in power in this state for the next 100 years," he added, defending the government's handling of the scheme.

His remarks followed a wave of social media posts questioning why many applicants who believed they were eligible had still not received payments. Government officials maintain that the delays are administrative rather than political and insist every eligible beneficiary will receive assistance once verification is complete.

Municipal affairs and urban development minister Agnimitra Paul also acknowledged complaints from women whose names were missing from the beneficiary list. "Many eligible women are not finding their names on the portal. If any eligible woman has been left out, she should submit a written complaint," she said.

Paul alleged that some officials had failed to upload the details of eligible beneficiaries, though no evidence has been made public to substantiate the claim.

The delays have fuelled criticism from Opposition parties, which have demanded greater transparency, a quicker verification process and an opportunity for rejected applicants to rectify errors.

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said, "We warned people from the very beginning that the BJP and its leaders make promises only to win elections. Despite that, the people voted for them. Now they are beginning to see the reality. This is not just happening in West Bengal but in several other states."

The Annapurna controversy has also refocused attention on other election promises that remain pending. Employee organisations continue to press the government to resolve the DA issue, while questions persist over the promised Rs 400 LPG cylinders, 200 units of free electricity and other welfare measures. The government says these commitments require financial and administrative planning and will be implemented in phases.

Civil society groups have urged the government to ensure greater transparency in implementing welfare schemes by providing applicants with clear information on the status of their applications, written reasons for rejections and an effective appeals process.

For many women awaiting financial assistance, however, the debate is less about politics than about household finances. Several applicants say they had expected the monthly payment to help cope with rising living costs and are now uncertain about when the money will arrive.

The BJP government also withdrew free bus travel for women from 1 August, drawing criticism from many commuters who had come to rely on the concession.

It has also yet to implement the 7th Pay Commission for West Bengal government employees despite promising to do so during the Assembly election campaign. More than three months after assuming office, employee organisations continue to press the government to fulfil that commitment.