Congress unveils Bengal manifesto, positions itself as 'Third Alternative'

Congress has unveiled its West Bengal Assembly election manifesto in Kolkata, pitching itself as a welfare-focused "third alternative" to the Trinamool Congress and the BJP.

The launch was led by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, according to multiple reports published on April 7. Coverage said the manifesto centers on jobs, education, healthcare, women’s empowerment and support for farmers.

The party is seeking to present itself as a separate option in the state election rather than simply a junior partner in a broader alliance. The manifesto launch comes as Congress continues its campaign in West Bengal ahead of the 2026 Assembly election.

Reports on the launch were broadly consistent, though the full manifesto text was not independently verified in the material reviewed. The party has not yet said what immediate effect it expects the document to have on the campaign.

The manifesto adds another layer to the contest for West Bengal, where Congress is trying to rebuild support with a message built around welfare and public services.