The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Bankura): Union Minister Subhas Sarkar has claimed that investors are hesitant to come to West Bengal, asserting that businesses will continue to avoid the state as long as the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government remains in power.
Sarkar pointed to the TMC’s land acquisition policy and allegations of widespread corruption as primary reasons for the poor employment situation in Bengal. “Industrialists shy away from coming to West Bengal. There is a dire need to change this government to attract investment in the state,” said Sarkar, the Union Minister of State for Education, in an interview with PTI.
The TMC had ascended to power in 2011 by opposing the forcible land acquisition policies of the previous Left Front government, particularly in Nandigram and Singur. The Left, however, argued that these acquisitions were essential for re-industrializing the state and creating jobs for the youth.
Sarkar emphasized that unemployment and the migration of labor from Bengal to other states can only be resolved by attracting industries. He highlighted plans to implement skill development programs for the youth. “In the next five years, we have plans to skill a large number of youths,” he said, adding that strengthening the cooperative and farm produce sectors is also necessary for better integration with related industries.
Sarkar, the current Bankura MP and BJP nominee for the upcoming elections, expressed confidence in winning his seat by a larger margin than in the 2019 polls, where he won by 1.74 lakh votes over his nearest TMC rival. Addressing concerns about his connection with grassroots workers, Sarkar asserted, “Our party is working very nicely.” He affirmed that he is a “son of the soil” and has strong support from party workers and supporters.
He claimed that the people of Bengal view the BJP as the only viable alternative, crediting the Narendra Modi government with leading the country through significant development and social welfare initiatives. Sarkar emphasized that there have been no corruption allegations against the central government or BJP-ruled states.
Sarkar accused the TMC of “corruption and oppression” by party-affiliated goons. He stated that allegations of sexual violence against women and land grabbing by some local TMC leaders in the Sandeshkhali region will impact the TMC’s support in Bankura, which is around 250 km away. “The incidents there (Sandeshkhali) will influence the women voters,” he said.
He also criticized the TMC for allegedly supporting former party leaders accused in various cases, including Shajahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali and Anubrata Mondal, who is in Tihar jail over alleged cattle smuggling. Sarkar argued that the TMC’s governance model is akin to a “feudal system,” characterized by a “cut money” culture for government benefits and a “franchise system” run by goons and mafias.
Sarkar asserted that the development work of Prime Minister Modi should not be compared to Mamata Banerjee’s model. “Modi’s ‘Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas’ model aims to ensure the betterment of everyone’s lives,” he said, noting that the central government provides free ration to 80 crore people nationwide.
He also mentioned the significant support the BJP enjoys from the adivasis in the Jangal Mahal area, which was affected by Maoist activities more than a decade ago. “The BJP-led NDA government has done a lot for them,” he said, highlighting the enactment of the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act (FCAA) 2023 and the inclusion of the Santhali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in 2003 during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.