Paromita Das
New Delhi, 24th July: Once hailed as the cultural and industrial pride of Bharat, West Bengal now stands on the precipice of economic irrelevance. In a shocking disclosure presented in Parliament, it was revealed that 6,688 companies have exited the state during Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s tenure—from April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2025. This corporate exodus has reignited serious concerns about the state’s business climate, governance, and future under Trinamool Congress (TMC) rule.
Investor Exodus and Policy Paralysis
This staggering number, made public by Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra, isn’t just a statistic—it’s an indictment.
BJP leaders, including IT Cell chief Amit Malviya, didn’t mince words when they accused Mamata’s regime of “turning Bengal into a graveyard for businesses.” According to the data, 110 of the departing companies were publicly listed, indicating a broad loss of trust across corporate hierarchies.
Malviya cited policy inconsistency, lawlessness, and appeasement politics as the chief culprits for Bengal’s economic downfall. “Bengal, which once attracted capital and talent, is now being deserted by even mid-sized enterprises,” he stated in a post that quickly went viral.
A Decade of Economic Decay
The years between 2015 and 2018 marked a steep acceleration in the exit trend, with over 2,800 companies relocating in just three years. The trend has only intensified since. From blaming external factors like central interference to dismissing these exits as administrative reshuffles, the Mamata government has routinely deflected blame. Yet, facts suggest otherwise.
Many firms have shifted base to Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra—states known for business-friendly governance, clearer regulations, and political stability. The contrast is stark: where other states offered growth, Bengal stifled it.
Lawlessness, Rohingya Influx, and Syndicate Raj
Beyond economics, West Bengal’s law and order crisis has further scared away investors. Political violence, extortion rackets, and the infamous syndicate raj have created a hostile environment. Add to that the influx of illegal immigrants, especially Rohingyas, which BJP alleges has been facilitated for vote-bank politics. These developments have overburdened infrastructure, strained social systems, and pushed legitimate businesses to seek safer harbors.
Reports of businesses facing threats for not complying with local “agents” and bureaucratic red tape are now common. Corporate leaders no longer see Bengal as a viable option for setting up operations, and their flight is the clearest proof.
Mamata’s Double-Edged Politics
Mamata Banerjee’s political survival may be secured through populist theatrics and welfare schemes, but she’s trading off Bengal’s long-term prosperity. Her government’s anti-enterprise stance, minority appeasement, and intolerance to dissent have built an atmosphere of fear and distrust. Industrial stagnation is no longer speculation—it’s lived reality.
The TMC must recognize that without jobs and private investment, welfare politics is unsustainable. Bengal’s young population deserves opportunities—not political slogans.
A State That’s Losing Its Edge
6,688 companies leaving Bengal is not just an economic concern—it’s a wake-up call. A call to shift the political lens from short-term appeasement to sustainable development. If the current trends persist, Bengal risks becoming a cautionary tale for states that ignore business fundamentals for political gains.
With the 2026 Assembly elections on the horizon, this issue is poised to dominate political discourse. Whether the state chooses revival or remains shackled to decline will depend entirely on its leadership—and the choices it makes now.
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