THE POLITICS OF POWER, NOT A “NANO” ISSUE

Dark clouds of gloom seem to be looming large over the state of West Bengal. Making use of a situation for political mileage is what politics is all about but putting the entire future of the state in jeopardy, tarnishing its reputation beyond repair, taking the progress of the state back by over four decades, would all this come under “political gain”?



Trinamool Congress chief, Mamta Banerjee, is using the Tata Motors Singur project to garner the votes which the Left in West Bengal is fast losing. By “fighting” for the cause of the farmers and the tribals, Mamta Banerjee is trying to regain her foothold back into power, securing a place for herself when the assembly elections come calling soon. For her, this is a great political card to play but for the state, it is a huge loss of face.



Ratan Tata has threatened to pull out of Singur if the situation continues as it does right now. And despite having invested around Rs.1,500 crore in the project, these are not empty threats. Ratan Tata has earlier proven that he means what he says- he pulled out of the airport project with Singapore Airlines in Bangalore and that also was a hi-profile project. Here the capital investment is substantial, yet how can employees go to work everyday under police protection?



The Tata’s are one of the most credible industrial houses of India. If they today pull out of the West Bengal, what would then be the fate of the others? If Tata does pull out, it would be a big blow to West Bengal. In the era of Subodh Banerjee, labour unrest and strikes had become so rampant that industries moved out of the state and since then, West Bengal is amongst the least favoured states for investment and not surprisingly, is also amongst the least “industrialized” states in India, with very high unemployment. Its agricultural output has gone up substantial yet that is not enough to provide employment and progress. Tata Motors Nano project was set to change this entire perception and the general feeling was if Tata’s can put up shop there, why can’t we? The completion of this project would have marked a return of West Bengal into being the industrial hub it was in the earlier days. But this entire episode has blighted the reputation of the state all over again and people are now questioning what made Ratan Tata decide on West Bengal at all?



The current government led by Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has realised its folly and has been welcoming one and all with open arms. Industrialisation has been number one on its agenda. But this spearheading of Mamta Banerjee has left the Left looking “anti farmer” and it is on this that Mamta is hoping to win her elections.



Mamta might win but for the state and for entire India, this would be a big loss. The disparity in state wise growth will now only widen. There is no way in which Tata would be able to deliver the Nano as promised by Diwali. Tata captured the imagination of the entire world and globally, people had started thinking that India would soon become the automotive hub of the world. Yes, world over, there is an ongoing battle between industrialization and farmers land being used for this purpose. But here, right now, things have turned ugly.



The other states are now all urging Ratan Tata to relocate to their state. All have promised the red carpet treatment. Maharashtra was the first state to welcome Ratan Tata but then, even in Maharashtra, where will the 1,000 acres of land come from? If West Bengal has a Mamta Banerjee, we have a Narayan Rane too.



When politics seeps into industry, the signs are not healthy. And right now, it seems to have permeated like gangrene all over. The affected part would have to be amputated but hopefully, the politics is amputated and not the industry. Or else, death is certain.