India, April 12 -- The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are locked in a direct contest to woo the same voter base-women, youth and welfare scheme beneficiaries-through competing promises in their manifestos for the West Bengal Assembly elections.

While Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is banking on her established social coalition of women, minorities and SC/ST voters, the BJP is attempting to break into this base with a mix of welfare assurances, identity-driven politics and promises of economic support.

The TMC has doubled down on its welfare-centric approach, proposing an increase in financial assistance under schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar, aiming to further consolidate women voters who have played a decisi...