Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a public gathering at Singur’s Gopalnagar Mouza on January 18, nearly two decades after Tata Motors shut down its Nano factory in the Hooghly district. His visit is part of a two-day trip to West Bengal.
The gathering is expected to focus on industrialisation and the alleged failure of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government to revive industries in the state.
According to BJP sources, PM Modi will also hold a public meeting in Malda on January 17.
Hooghly BJP president Gautam Chatterjee confirmed that the party has finalised the Singur location. “We have gone and visited the location,” he said.
A senior BJP leader said choosing Singur for the prime minister’s visit is crucial, as it will highlight the party’s stance on industrial development and the PM will send a strong message from Gopalnagar Mouza about industrial failure during TMC tenure as well as the BJP’s vision for reviving Bengal’s industries if it comes to power.
“Singur had played a crucial role in the change in West Bengal politics, it was due to Singur that the Left got ousted and the TMC came to power. The Prime Minister’s visit will also have a strong impact on the people,” a senior BJP leader said.
The BJP has been critical of the Mamata Banerjee government’s industrial policies, alleging that the state has become an “industrial graveyard”.
Story continues below this ad
In a document titled “West Bengal Industrial Graveyard” released in December 2025, the BJP claimed that the state’s debt has risen to Rs 7.71 lakh crore, with per capita debt increasing from Rs 22,570 to Rs 76,766 over 14 years.
The document released by the BJP highlighted three broad points: Industrial Annihilation – the systematic destruction of manufacturing sectors and investor confidence; Fiscal Catastrophe – Reckless borrowing, mismanagement of public funds, and creative accounting; Governance Failure – corruption, scams, and the diversion of central schemes.
The party had alleged that the total debt had risen from Rs 2,07,702 crores in 2011-12 to Rs 7,71,670 crores projected for 2025-26, a 305% increase over 14 years. In the same period, the per capita debt skyrocketed from Rs 22,570 to Rs 76,766.
They further alleged that only 3 per cent of Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) proposals have been implemented and that most projects remain “invisible” on ground despite securing Rs 23.94 lakh crore in proposals and signing 1,200+ MoUs over eight editions of BGBS.
Story continues below this ad
During the last BGBS in February 2025, the Chief Minister had stated that over the last seven BGBS editions, investments worth Rs 19 lakh crore have been made, out of which work for Rs 13 lakh crore has rolled out in the ground.
Singur played a pivotal role in shaping Bengal’s politics. The Left Front government’s plan to set up a Tata Nano plant in 2006 sparked widespread protests over land acquisition, with Mamata Banerjee leading the charge. Her agitation against the “forcible acquisition” of land revitalised her political fortunes, and the TMC’s victory in the 2008 panchayat polls gave her momentum.
Banerjee’s protests eventually forced Tata Motors to pull out in October 2008, and the project shifted to Gujarat. The Singur movement catapulted Mamata Banerjee to power, enabling her to end the Left Front’s 34-year rule in 2011. After taking office, her government returned the land to farmers, and a Supreme Court directive in 2016 led to the demolition of the abandoned factory.
Tanusree Bose is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Kolkata. Her work focuses sharply on the complex administrative, political, and judicial developments across West Bengal, establishing her as an authoritative voice in regional news coverage.
Experience
Current Role: Reports for the prestigious national daily, The Indian Express, providing her content with a high level of Trustworthiness.
Geographical Expertise: Provides focused, in-depth coverage of West Bengal, demonstrating an intimate knowledge of the state's news and political nuances.
Core Authority: Her reporting portfolio highlights deep Expertise in crucial, often sensitive, beats, including:
State Politics and Governance: Covering the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), opposition strategies (BJP), and internal political controversies.
Judicial and Administrative Affairs: Closely monitoring key developments in the Calcutta High Court, particularly major rulings related to employment, education, and social issues.
Education Sector: Extensive reporting on significant controversies, such as teacher recruitment irregularities and administrative actions by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE).
Social & Electoral Issues: Covering public events, community tensions (e.g., religious/political gatherings), and election-related processes like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll.
Tanusree Bose's consistent output and focus on high-stakes regional issues for a trusted media outlet underscore her status as a reliable and authoritative source for news from West Bengal. ... Read More
