India, May 11 -- The BJP's first government in West Bengal plans to retain Mamata Banerjee's hallmark cash-transfer welfare model.

BJP had earlier criticised of "doles" by TMC government, especially for women and unemployed youth.

Now, BJP as pledged to expand schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar, rebranded as Annapurna Bhandar.

Economists warn of mounting debt and underinvestment in infrastructure and industry.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed its first ever government in West Bengal on May 9, 2026, ending a 15-year Trinamool Congress (TMC) regime. One of the reasons for this turnaround, economists and political experts have pointed out, was the social welfare-heavy governance of the Mamata Banerjee-leadership.

But the new governmen...