Kolkata, 05 January (H.S.): The Bharatiya Janata Party has mounted a sharp counterattack against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her expressed concerns regarding the proposed Special Investment Region (SIR), accusing the state government of deliberately obstructing development. Senior BJP leader and Member of Parliament Shamik Bhattacharya dismissed the Chief Minister’s remarks as baseless and misleading, alleging that fear is being spread among the public for political gain.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Bhattacharya said the Chief Minister was attempting to create an atmosphere of anxiety by misrepresenting the intent of the SIR. He alleged that the narrative being pushed by the state government was politically motivated and aimed at derailing industrial growth.
Rejecting claims that land would be forcibly acquired under the SIR framework, Bhattacharya said such assertions were “completely false and deceptive.” He maintained that the initiative was designed to promote industrial development and generate employment, adding that the Chief Minister was opposing it to sustain what he described as anti-development politics.
Expressing concern over the state’s economic trajectory, the BJP leader said that while other states were implementing policy reforms to attract investment, West Bengal was creating hurdles. He argued that the absence of modern industrial infrastructure was forcing the state’s youth to migrate elsewhere in search of jobs.
“If investment does not come to Bengal, employment opportunities will not be created. The Chief Minister is consciously trying to scare away investors,” Bhattacharya said.
The issue of land acquisition has long remained sensitive in West Bengal. Recently, Mamata Banerjee had warned that the SIR could adversely affect farmers and the interests of common people. The BJP, however, has rejected these apprehensions, calling them an attempt to push the state further behind on the industrial front.
Following Bhattacharya’s remarks, political debate over land policy and the SIR is expected to intensify across the state. Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress has not yet issued any official response on the matter.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
