Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for multiple infrastructure projects in Singur on Sunday. The projects carry a total value of ₹830 crore. This visit comes just ahead of crucial elections in West Bengal.
Modi's Bengal visit targets TMC government
Modi arrived in West Bengal on Saturday. He first visited Malda where he criticized the ruling Trinamool Congress government. The Prime Minister accused the TMC of practicing "politics of hatred." He positioned Bengal as central to India's goal of becoming a developed economy by 2047.
On social media platform X, Modi announced his schedule for the Singur visit. He wrote that his government remains committed to accelerating West Bengal's growth journey. The Prime Minister stated that important development works would be launched or their foundations laid during his visit.
Key projects to be inaugurated
The Prime Minister's Office detailed the specific projects. These include:
- Laying the foundation stone for the Extended Port Gate System at Balagarh
- Inaugurating the Inland Water Transport Terminal and Road Overbridge
- Launching an Electric Catamaran at Kolkata
- Inaugurating a new rail line between Jayrambati and Maynapur
- Flagging off trains, including Amrit Bharat trains
The inauguration ceremony will begin at approximately 3 pm on Sunday.
Why Singur holds political significance
Modi's choice of Singur carries deep political meaning. The location represents a sore point in Bengal's political history. The visit strategically targets this sensitive issue as elections approach.
The Singur land acquisition controversy
In 2006, the CPI(M) government came to power with a strong majority. They announced plans for a Tata Motors plant in Singur to produce the Nano car. This project promised industrialization and job creation for the state.
The government acquired around 1,000 acres of land for the factory. This sparked protests from local residents in Singur. Despite opposition, construction began on the Tata plant.
Mamata Banerjee reignited the protests in 2007. She became the face of the anti-land acquisition movement against the Left government. When prevented from entering the area, Mamata began a 26-day hunger strike in Kolkata. Her protest drew support from activists, intellectuals, and various sections of society.
In 2008, the Calcutta High Court upheld the land acquisition as legal. Mamata intensified her agitation in response. She expanded protests to Nandigram over a proposed chemicals plant.
Then Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi attempted mediation between the Left government and Mamata. These efforts failed. Eventually, Tata Motors withdrew from Singur. The Nano plant was later established in Sanand, Gujarat, where Narendra Modi's government was in power.
Singur as a recurring election issue
Since those events, Singur has repeatedly emerged as a poll issue in Bengal. For Mamata Banerjee, it symbolizes her rise to political power. For her opponents, it highlights the TMC government's failure to industrialize Bengal.
The BJP has already attacked the Mamata government ahead of elections. They describe her economic policies as creating an "industrial graveyard" in Bengal.
BJP highlights Bengal's industrial decline
Just before Modi's visit, state BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya highlighted concerning data. He cited figures from the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Bhattacharya emphasized how Bengal has fallen behind industrialized states like Maharashtra and Gujarat.
He noted that Gujarat implemented 921 investment proposals worth ₹3.24 lakh crore. Maharashtra implemented 850 proposals worth ₹1.99 lakh crore. West Bengal implemented only 116 proposals worth ₹15,184 crore.
Bhattacharya promised a different future if BJP comes to power. He said Bengal would not be left behind. The state would not need to send its youth outside for employment. Bengal would again become a hub of industrialization and job creation. He envisioned a bright future for Bengal built on industry, investment, and employment.
Modi's visit to Singur represents more than just project inaugurations. It serves as a direct challenge to the TMC's economic record. The Prime Minister positions his party as the alternative for Bengal's industrial revival. With elections approaching, this message aims to resonate with voters concerned about jobs and development.
