Ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched the ‘Matri Shakti Bharosa Card’, a key welfare promise aimed at women voters in the state. The initiative was unveiled in Kolkata on April 15, 2026, by senior BJP leader Smriti Irani as part of the party’s broader election campaign.
The card represents a commitment by the BJP to provide ₹3,000 per month as direct financial assistance to every woman in West Bengal if the party comes to power. The scheme is designed as a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), ensuring that the money reaches beneficiaries directly in their bank accounts
During the launch, symbolic cards were distributed to selected women, and party workers were instructed to expand the outreach by distributing these cards across households. The Indian Express +1 The move is seen as a strategic attempt to connect with women voters and counter existing welfare schemes run by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), such as the Lakshmir Bhandar program.
Addressing the media, Smriti Irani criticised the TMC government, alleging corruption, financial mismanagement, and inadequate focus on women’s safety. She stated that despite significant central funding, benefits have not effectively reached the people due to what she described as systemic irregularities.
The ‘Matri Shakti Bharosa Card’ is also a major component of BJP’s election manifesto (Sankalp Patra), which places strong emphasis on women’s empowerment, financial independence, and social welfare. The party has projected the scheme as a step toward improving economic security and dignity for women across the state.
However, the initiative has sparked political controversy. The TMC has raised concerns, alleging that the distribution of such cards during the election period may violate the Model Code of Conduct.
With the elections approaching, the scheme has become a central talking point in West Bengal’s political landscape, highlighting the growing focus on women-centric welfare policies by competing parties.