Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday said forms for the proposed Annapurna Yojana would be issued from May 27, under which eligible women are expected to receive financial assistance of ₹3,000 per month.
Adhikari made the announcement while addressing party workers and supporters, claiming that the welfare initiative would target women beneficiaries across the state. The statement has triggered political discussion in West Bengal, where women-centric welfare schemes have become a major electoral and governance issue.
According to Adhikari, the proposed scheme aims to provide direct monthly financial support to women, particularly from economically weaker households. He stated that the process for issuing application forms would begin from May 27, although detailed official guidelines regarding eligibility, implementation mechanism and beneficiary verification are still awaited.
The announcement comes amid increasing political focus on welfare programmes ahead of future electoral battles in West Bengal. Financial assistance schemes targeting women voters have played a crucial role in shaping political narratives in the state over recent years.
The ruling All India Trinamool Congress government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee already operates several welfare initiatives for women, including the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, which provides monthly financial aid to eligible women beneficiaries across the state. Political observers say the proposed Annapurna Yojana announcement is likely to intensify competition over welfare politics in Bengal.
Adhikari did not specify whether the scheme would be implemented directly by the state government or proposed as part of a broader political campaign initiative. However, he asserted that women would receive ₹3,000 every month under the programme once operational.
The development comes at a time when political parties across India are increasingly focusing on direct cash transfer schemes, women’s welfare initiatives and household support programmes as key electoral strategies. Similar schemes have emerged in multiple states ahead of assembly and parliamentary elections.
Political analysts believe welfare-focused announcements continue to remain highly influential in West Bengal, particularly among women voters and economically vulnerable sections of society. The state has witnessed intense political competition between the BJP and the ruling TMC over welfare delivery, governance and rural outreach.
No official notification detailing the complete structure of the Annapurna Yojana had been publicly released at the time of reporting. Further clarification regarding registration procedures, eligibility criteria and implementation timelines is expected in the coming days.
The announcement has already generated significant attention on social media and among political circles, with discussions centering on its potential electoral and economic impact in the state.