The Union Budget 2026, presented on February 1, 2026, has become a fresh battleground between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP. While West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee dismissed the budget as a “visionless and missionless” document that ignores Bengal’s needs, the BJP has pointed to several big-ticket infrastructure and industrial projects specifically aimed at the state.
With West Bengal heading toward assembly elections later this year, both parties are framing the budget to suit their political narratives.
The War of Words: Mamata vs. BJP
Mamata’s Critique: The CM labeled the budget “anti-people, anti-women, and anti-farmer.” She specifically took aim at the new rail corridors, claiming they were original plans from her tenure as Railway Minister.
Abhishek Banerjee’s Charge: The TMC National General Secretary highlighted that the word “Bengal” was not mentioned once in the FM’s speech, alleging “zero respect” for the state.
BJP’s Rebuttal: State BJP President Shamik Bhattacharya mocked the CM’s claims of credit, while the central leadership emphasized that Bengal is a “key pillar” of the Purvodaya (Eastern India) initiative.
Key Budget Allocations for West Bengal
Despite the political friction, the 2026 Budget includes several massive projects impacting the state:
| Project / Initiative | Details & Impact |
| Varanasi–Siliguri Bullet Train | One of 7 new High-Speed Rail Corridors; aims to connect North Bengal with Uttar Pradesh. |
| Dankuni–Surat Freight Corridor | A new Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) linking West Bengal’s industrial hubs to Gujarat. |
| East Coast Industrial Corridor | Durgapur named as a major integrated industrial node to boost manufacturing. |
| Jute Sector Scheme | A dedicated scheme to modernize the jute industry, a critical employment driver in Bengal. |
| NIPER Kolkata (Panihati) | Upgradation of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. |
| Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj | A new handloom-focused scheme aimed at supporting traditional weavers and village industries. |
Legacy Clusters & Tourism
The Finance Minister also proposed the revival of 200 legacy industrial clusters, a move analysts say will disproportionately benefit West Bengal due to its high concentration of traditional MSME hubs. Additionally, the state is part of a plan to develop five major tourism destinations in the eastern region to boost local employment.