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West Bengal CM Highlights Development Ahead of 2026 Elections

Kolkata, December 3, 2025 – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday unveiled “Unnayoner Panchali,” a comprehensive report card showcasing her government’s performance over the past 14 years, as the state gears up for the 2026 Assembly elections.

Banerjee highlighted the 95 welfare schemes implemented by her administration, emphasizing her commitment to “cooperative federalism” despite the central government owing the state ₹1.76 lakh crore. She also stressed her government’s inclusive approach, stating, “Bengal does not discriminate. We treat all communities equally.”

Key achievements cited in the report included lifting 1.72 crore people out of poverty between 2013 and 2023, generating meaningful employment for over 2 crore individuals, and reducing unemployment by 40%. The Chief Minister also noted a significant increase in the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), which has grown 4.41 times since 2011 to reach ₹20.31 lakh crore. She also highlighted significant increases in various government spending, capital expenditure, social sector expenditure, agriculture and allied sector spending and physical sector expenditure.

Banerjee also defended her government’s Lakshmi Bhandar Scheme, which provides ₹1,000 per month to 2.21 crore beneficiaries, comparing it favorably to similar initiatives in other states. There is speculation she may increase the funding for the program.

However, the report was met with criticism from opposition parties. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya argued that the people of West Bengal have formed their own negative assessment of Banerjee’s government, pointing to the exodus of workers, students, and businesses from the state. CPI(M) State secretary Mohammad Salim dismissed the claims as a “bundle of lies” and challenged the Chief Minister to provide detailed employment figures. He also pointed to the state’s growing debt, which he claims has surpassed ₹8 lakh crore under the Trinamool Congress regime.

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