Pradip Dutta Roy

Once upon a time, Bengal was the industrial hub of India. Goods produced in its factories were marketed all over the country. During British rule, Kolkata was the capital of India, and therefore the British developed industries around the region. People from different parts of the country gathered in the areas surrounding Kolkata to work in factories. Kolkata eventually became a great metropolitan city.

Although this situation continued for about a decade after independence, the central government gradually became indifferent toward Bengal. Differences emerged between the leadership of Bengal and the leadership at the Centre, which also influenced the people of the state. As a result, the Congress government in Bengal was overthrown and the United Front government was formed.

Due to the Centre’s neglectful attitude, a shadow began to fall over Bengal’s industries. The central government promoted industrial infrastructure in other states while pushing Bengal’s industrial base toward destruction. A once industrially prosperous state gradually fell behind in productivity, and unemployment started rising sharply.

Using this situation of deprivation by the Centre as a political issue, the Left Front came to power by ending Congress rule. During the 34 years of Left Front governance, industries declined even further. Frequent agitations, strikes, and labor unrest created severe difficulties for factory owners trying to keep industries operational. The Left’s lack of faith in industry-friendly policies encouraged factory owners to consider alternatives outside Bengal.

Government-run factories struggled to survive. By focusing only on labor interests, the overall industrial environment was damaged. As a result, the jute industry collapsed. Jewelry and textile industries shifted from Bengal to Gujarat. One textile mill after another shut down, while Gujarat developed strong textile manufacturing. Pharmaceutical industries also preferred other states because of fewer labor problems, causing Bengal’s pharma sector to lose importance gradually.

During the Left era, an initiative was taken to establish Tata’s Nano car factory in Singur. However, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, massive protests were organized, destroying this industrial possibility at its very inception. The movement, carried out in the name of protecting agricultural land, is now being seen as anti-industry and misguided.

The Singur issue eventually ended the 34-year Left rule in Bengal. Using the Singur movement as a political weapon, Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress came to power. After coming to power, the Trinamool Congress followed the same path as the Left in damaging industries. During the Trinamool era, many factories shut down in Bengal. Even companies like Bata and Britannia shifted operations to other states.

With industries shutting down, lakhs of people became unemployed and economically vulnerable. To remain in power, Mamata introduced several subsidy-oriented welfare schemes. Through allowances and schemes such as Kanyashree and Yuvashree, the government managed to retain support. Despite rising unemployment, the Trinamool government showed little interest in reviving industries.

Party leaders and workers allegedly became involved in corruption and “cut money” practices, accumulating huge wealth. The people of Bengal were becoming increasingly frustrated, but the Trinamool leadership failed to realize it. After their defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections, they now understand that people had lost trust in them. However, they continue to blame voter-list revisions and EVMs for the defeat instead of examining their own mistakes.

The psychological distance between Bengal’s leadership and the rulers at the Centre began during the Congress era itself. This allowed the Left Front to rule for 34 years by using anti-Centre politics. In 1989, after the fall of the Congress government, V.P. Singh proposed the name of Bengal’s then Chief Minister Jyoti Basu for Prime Minister. Unfortunately, the CPI(M) Politburo, where anti-Bengal forces were allegedly influential, rejected the proposal. Bengal lost a historic opportunity.

Later, after Rajiv Gandhi’s death, Pranab Mukherjee also had the opportunity to become Prime Minister. However, the Congress leadership chose P.V. Narasimha Rao instead. Even later, when another opportunity arose, Congress made Manmohan Singh Prime Minister and sidelined Pranab Mukherjee by eventually appointing him President, effectively ending his active political career. According to the writer, Congress later realized this decision backfired, and removing a politically wise leader like Pranab contributed to the party’s decline.

The conflict between Bengal and central leadership has therefore existed for decades. But now, after nearly fifty years, a government aligned with the ruling party at the Centre has come to power in Bengal. The BJP has finally captured power in the state after repeated attempts.

It is still too early to judge how the BJP-led Centre will treat Bengal, and therefore no immediate conclusions should be drawn. However, it can be said that the long-standing policy conflict between Bengal and the Centre may now end. Many people in Bengal believe this could bring positive results.

After forming the new government, several major steps have reportedly been initiated. A new SIT has been formed to investigate Abhaya’s death. Investigations into political violence following the 2021 Assembly elections have also been ordered. Fresh cases have reportedly been filed regarding those incidents. Families of BJP workers allegedly killed in political violence have been promised government jobs — a major announcement according to the writer.

Apart from demolishing illegal constructions, the government has openly declared that illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators will be deported. State BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya reportedly stated clearly that no detention camps would be established in Bengal. Identified Bangladeshis would instead be handed over to the BSF, who would transfer them to the BGB at the border. He also reportedly said that the Bengal government has no intention of using taxpayers’ money to support foreign nationals illegally staying in India.

Protests against eviction drives in the Park Street area were reportedly dealt with strictly by the police. Demonstrators allegedly threw stones at police, after which the police resorted to lathi-charge in self-defense and cleared the area. According to the writer, this demonstrates not only a change in government but also a change in the overall situation of law and order.

Strict action, he argues, is necessary to restore stability in a state where law and order had deteriorated. Those who previously engaged in disorder are now becoming cornered. Whether they realize their actions harmed the public interest or not, they will now have to accept the rule of law.

After the BJP-led government came to power in Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly stated that factories closed during the Trinamool era would be reopened. The writer argues that Bengal’s economy cannot be revived merely through welfare schemes. To address the severe unemployment crisis, closed factories must be reopened and new industries established.

Companies such as Bata and Britannia, which moved to other states, should be encouraged to return. The new government must create an industry-friendly environment through proper planning. People have high expectations from the government — not only political change but also socio-economic transformation.

If Bengal’s economic backbone becomes strong again, the state will progress in other sectors as well. Although the new government will face tremendous pressure, it must move forward systematically in the public interest. Bengal is still a state full of potential. By attracting investment in IT and other sectors, infrastructural transformation is possible.

The writer believes the government must work positively to fulfill the hopes people have placed in the BJP. In this regard, the Centre is expected to cooperate fully. Just as the Centre will remain alert regarding the strategic “Chicken Neck” corridor, the writer believes that financial allocations for Bengal’s development may also increase under this government.

If Bengal’s economic foundation becomes stronger, it will also contribute positively to India’s GDP growth. The people of Bengal, according to the writer, hope that the BJP-led central government will now finally deliver justice to Bengal — after what he describes as a silent revolution through the ballot box.

(The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.The author is a former student leader and an advocate at the Gauhati High Court.)