Kolkata, 21 April (H.S.): Bharatiya Janata Party MP and former Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur on Tuesday claimed that the people of West Bengal were seeking political change and asserted that the contest in the state was between Mamata Banerjee and the people. He said when the public takes charge of an election, the verdict is decisive.

Speaking at a press conference at the state BJP headquarters in Kolkata, Thakur was accompanied by Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla. The event began with remarks from state BJP chief spokesperson Devjit Sarkar, who alleged that over the past 15 years the state government had functioned only as a Trinamool Congress government and not as a government for the people.

Thakur said the Trinamool Congress had practised appeasement, corruption and dynastic politics over the last 15 years, and that voters would respond through the ballot. He claimed that on May 4, both the Trinamool government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would be voted out of power.

He said that if the BJP formed the government, unemployed youths and women would receive ₹3,000 per month. He also promised one crore employment opportunities, a five-year age relaxation in recruitment examinations, ₹15,000 assistance for preparation of competitive examinations, and transparent recruitment to all vacant posts.

Highlighting plans for youth development, Thakur said an international-standard sports training infrastructure would be created so that young people in the state become job creators rather than only job seekers.

Targeting the current administration, he alleged that jobs had been “looted” in West Bengal and talent had been denied opportunities. He claimed that while the national unemployment rate stood at five percent, it had reached 25 percent in the state. He further said postgraduate unemployment was 47.6 percent, while unemployment among diploma holders was 31.3 percent.

According to him, there are 23 lakh registered job seekers in the state and 30 lakh jobs have disappeared since 2015-16.

Harsh Vardhan Shringla, meanwhile, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had received overwhelming public support during campaign events across North Bengal and other regions. He claimed that the people of Bengal were now prepared to remove the Trinamool Congress and bring the BJP to power.

After the press conference, Anurag Singh Thakur also shared a traditional fish-and-rice meal with party leaders.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh