Mamata unveils ‘10 Protigya’ manifesto, alleges NRC-census plan to strip citizenship after Bengal polls

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on March 20 launched the Trinamool Congress (TMC) manifesto titled “10 Protigya” ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, outlining key promises focused on welfare expansion, employment generation, housing, and infrastructure development.

The manifesto positions development and social security at its core, with the party aiming to strengthen its existing welfare schemes while expanding support for women, youth, and marginalised communities. Job creation and economic growth were highlighted as major priorities, along with improvements in public services.

Addressing the media during the launch, Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating a “deep conspiracy” to disrupt the state’s political environment ahead of the elections. She alleged that attempts were being made to influence voters and destabilise governance in West Bengal.

Banerjee also warned that people in the state could face the risk of losing citizenship after the Assembly elections if processes like the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and census are implemented by the Centre.

The West Bengal Chief Minister alleged that such measures could be used to target individuals and remove them from official records, raising concerns about voter rights and identity. She claimed that these efforts form part of a larger political strategy linked to the upcoming elections.

The remarks come amid an ongoing political confrontation between the ruling TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with citizenship and identity emerging as key campaign issues. Banerjee has repeatedly opposed NRC-related exercises, arguing that they could disproportionately affect ordinary citizens.

With elections approaching, the debate around citizenship, identity, and governance is likely to intensify, adding another layer of complexity to an already high-stakes contest in West Bengal