Unemployment – BJP Launches Chakri Chai Bangla Campaign in Bengal
Unemployment – The Bharatiya Janata Party has initiated a fresh outreach programme in West Bengal, focusing on rising unemployment and economic concerns in the state.
The campaign, titled Chakri Chai Bangla, was formally introduced by BJP leaders as part of the party’s broader strategy ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The initiative is aimed at highlighting employment issues under the Trinamool Congress government and connecting with young voters across districts.
BJP Flags Job Crisis in West Bengal
Addressing reporters on Monday, BJP Member of Parliament Raju Bista said that many young people in West Bengal are being compelled to leave their hometowns to seek work elsewhere. According to him, limited local opportunities have pushed skilled and unskilled workers alike to migrate to other states in search of stable employment.
Bista claimed that several industries in the state have either shut down or reduced operations in recent years, contributing to rising unemployment. He maintained that job creation should be a priority issue for the state government, adding that the BJP would continue to raise the matter publicly.
He also alleged that illegal infiltration in parts of North Bengal has placed additional pressure on local resources. Referring to reported settlements of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals, he said the situation has created concerns among residents. The Trinamool Congress government has previously denied such allegations.
Bista further stated that party workers have sent postcard messages to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her administration to focus on employment generation and industrial revival. He said the campaign is designed to amplify the voice of youth demanding jobs and economic stability.
Political Tensions Over Electoral Roll Revision
The launch of the employment campaign comes at a time of heightened political friction between the central government and the West Bengal administration. Differences have surfaced over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls currently underway in the state.
While the Centre has described the revision process as a routine exercise to ensure accuracy in voter lists, the state government has expressed concerns regarding its implementation. The issue has added another layer of tension to an already charged political environment.
Elections on the Horizon
West Bengal is scheduled to hold Assembly elections in the first half of this year, and political activity across the state has intensified. The BJP, which has positioned itself as the principal opposition force, has stepped up its preparations in several constituencies.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to visit the state this week as part of the party’s outreach efforts. According to party sources, he will arrive at Kolkata airport on February 18 at around 1:30 pm and then travel by helicopter to Mayapur.
During his visit, Shah is scheduled to participate in programmes at the ISKCON temple in Mayapur. He is expected to spend approximately two hours there before returning. Party leaders say the visit is part of a broader engagement plan ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Political Landscape Since 2021
In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, secured a decisive victory by winning 221 out of 294 seats. The BJP emerged as a significant opposition party, securing 77 seats and expanding its presence in the state legislature.
With the next round of elections approaching, both parties have intensified their campaigns, focusing on governance, development, and public welfare issues. Employment, industrial growth, and electoral integrity are expected to remain central themes in the political discourse in the months ahead.
As campaigning gathers pace, the Chakri Chai Bangla initiative signals the BJP’s intent to frame unemployment as a key electoral issue, while the ruling Trinamool Congress is likely to counter with its record on social welfare and development programmes.