Kolkata, April 10 -- The political battle in West Bengal intensified on Friday as the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) traded sharp attacks on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s newly released election manifesto, even as campaigning gathered momentum ahead of the 2026 state Assembly elections.

The BJP's manifesto, themed around the concept of "Sonar Bangla" (Golden Bengal), promises a radical shift in governance, focusing heavily on national security, youth employment, and women's safety.

Launching the party's 'Sankalp Patra' in Kolkata, Union Home Minister Amit Shah pitched it as a roadmap to transform Bengal from "despair to development" in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India.

Shah slammed on the TMC g...