Bengal BJP makes public a report blaming Trinamool regime for State’s industrial decline

The West Bengal unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday (December 17, 2025) published a document titled “West Bengal Industrial Graveyard”, claiming that 14 years of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government has turned the State from India’s industrial powerhouse into a “graveyard of failed policies, destroyed industries, and crushing debt”.

The document released by State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya along with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari stated that over 14 years the Chief Minister “has not only strangled industrial development but systematically looted public funds to finance populist schemes while the state drowns in ₹7.71 lakh crore of debt, one of the highest in India”.

The document released by the BJP highlighted three broad points which includes 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 BJP released the document a day before West Bengal government is likely to hold a high-level business conclave in Kolkata on December 18 to highlight the state’s industrial progress and new investment prospects. The event, to be held at the Dhano Dhanyo Auditorium, will be attended by CM Banerjee along with captains of industry.

On Wednesday (December 17), Ms. Banerjee addressed over 12,000 traders and MSMEs during the Byabasayi Sammelan at Netaji Indoor Stadium.

The BJP leadership claimed that the total debt has exploded from ₹2,07,702 crores in 2011-12 to ₹7,71,670 crores projected for 2025-26, a 305% increase over 14 years. In the same period the per capita debt has skyrocketed from ₹22,570 to ₹76,766.

Some only spread negativity, says CM

The Chief Minister tried to reject the allegations of debt made by the BJP. “Some people only spread negativity. The reality is very different,” she said at the MSME event.

Ms. Banerjee said that critics should note that West Bengal operates strictly within the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) framework while continuing development work despite large pending central dues amounting to Rs 1.97 lakh crore. “We have to run all projects even when the Centre does not pay our dues,” she claimed.

BGBS have been a flop show, says BJP

In the report ‘West Bengal Industrial Graveyard’, the BJP’s West Bengal unit has accused the State government of not meeting the promises made on investments and employment generation through BGBS since 2015.

In the report, the saffron party alleged that only 3% of BGBS proposals have been implemented and that most projects remain “invisible” on ground despite securing ₹23.94 lakh crore in proposals and signing 1,200+ MoUs over eight editions of BGBS.

During the last Bengal Global Business Summit in February 2025, the Chief Minister had stated that over the last seven BGBS editions, investments worth ₹19 lakh crore have been made, out of which work for ₹13 lakh crore has rolled out in the ground.

BJP’s report also accuses the Chief Minister of using public funds to finance populist schemes despite the State’s alleged total debt increased by 305% during her tenure, from ₹2,07,702 crores in 2011-12 to ₹7,71,670 crores projected for 2025-26.