• Here are Observations (17) by a professional, now non-resident of Kolkata, about her home state and Ideas for the BJP (16) that even the TMC can use.

After doing my Management from IIM (Calcutta) years ago, I moved out of the state to take a job in Western India. However, I made it a point to spend Durga Pujo time in Kolkata, virtually every year. Subconsciously I benchmarked West Bengal (WB) with my new state of residence and realized that WB was far behind in infrastructure, attitude of people and new age businesses.

At heart, I am a proud Bengali and know that Bengal gave India leaders like Swami Vivekananda, Sri Lahiri Mahasaya Baba, J C Bose. While things have relatively improved during TMC as compared to Left rule, WB has a long way to go.

As an apolitical person who wishes to see her State of Birth realize potential, I am sharing my views in the form of Observations and Ideas for the BJP. Why BJP? Simply, because they have never ruled the state earlier and done reasonably well in states where they ruled except Karnataka.    

Some of the West Bengal greats, starting from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. 

Observations

1. There is a public perception, well expounded by a BJP sitting MP from Bengal, and ex-Governor of Meghalaya and Tripura, Sri Tathagata Roy, that there is an informal arrangement between the Centre and the State (BJP and TMC).

Thus, the BJP makes noise against the TMC but does not pursue matters to their logical conclusion. Rightly or wrongly, this is what most Bengalis believe, and the ground realities seem to confirm this perception.

Unless this perception changes, the land of Dr. Shyamaprasad Mukherjee and the spirit of Dr. Mukherjee will not find rest. Here are some examples -

a) The CBI did not pursue the R.G. Kar rape case with adequate rigour. This was when local and NRI Bengalis had one demand, conviction of the actual perpetuators of rape and murder.

b) Even though Bengalis are aware that criminals were released, probably on basis of a court order, they are angry with the Centre when the leader of Birbhum and the infamous ex-education minister in whose girlfriend’s house millions of rupees were found, were released. 

To the common man, it means the Prosecution did not make a strong case before the Courts, as was done against the 2020 Delhi Riots accused. The thought gets reinforced when one digests the preceding point.

c) During elections paramilitary forces are sent to WB and for some unknown reason they are not put to no real use. I do not know the Centre-State rules for this but predictably, the Centre blames the State, and the State blames the Centre. Can the Central government explains why this happens?

2. Unlike other states (Shivraj Chauhan in M.P., Modi in Gujarat, Fadnavis in Maharashtra) it is surprising that the BJP have found no such leader in WB.

In WB, non-Bengalis are perceived to be in command (not that I have a problem with that but large sections of the electorate might have) because of which the TMC leadership, being local has an advantage. It gives them an opportunity to levy the ‘outsider’ charge against the BJP. Further, when leaders do not speak in Bengali, it reinforces the ‘outsider’ charge.  

3. There is a perception, right or wrong that BJP leaders in Bengal are together with the TMC. In the absence of documentary evidence, I am not sharing such details that are widely spoken about. Managing Perceptions is important.

4. TMC always in conflict with the Centre

Under our federal structure, India is run by States but the Centre’s role is equally important. Be it the Left or TMC, they were always pointing fingers at the Centre. 

See the way Naveen Patnaik managed the centre state equation for years. This ultimately benefitted Odisha. Conversely, TMC has always been in conflict with the Centre (it is not always to blame though). See how Uttar Pradesh, M.P., Maharashtra etc. have benefitted from a Double Engine Sarkar. C Naidu, CM of Andhra Pradesh, has learnt too.

5. TMC is a family based party, BJP is a cadre based party. Didi is 70 years.

In the TMC it starts and ends with family. Conversely, in BJP ordinary people like Chauhan, Mohan Y, Modi, Yogi sprung up from nowhere to become CM.

At 70, Didi is aging. Next would be Abhishek B. Perhaps another family member after that. Can WB break out of this family business and have simple, ordinary citizens as a Chief Minister?

6. States like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh have changed due to the vision of local leaders and Double Engine Sarkar. Even Bihar has progressed.

My home state, WB, is still stuck in a different era. Since work takes me to these states, I have seen the change first hand. There is also a sense of optimism there.

7. Violence post elections unique to WB

There was so much of violence in WB post the last assembly elections. In 2025, even Bihar, where once violence ruled, saw largely peaceful polls. Women are the most affected during such violence. Read  Violence in West Bengal elections – A Primer

8. BJP state governments focus on building infrastructure.

Every BJP ruled state that I visit see new Metros, Expressways, better roads, improved tourism facilities. My father tells that Kolkata was the first to have a Metro around 1984-yet where are we today!

Mumbai Metro 3 – Underground.

9. Promoting Tourism

Tourism generates employment and enhances incomes. Gujarat sprung up as a tourist destination from nowhere. Visit Tent City Kutch to know what I mean. Our kids insisted we go there.

Inspite of a rich heritage WB, if you exclude Darjeeling area, receives much fewer tourists. Marketing, Infrastructure and Safety are key.

10. During every visit I see the number of Bangladeshis on the streets going up.

Since I grew up in Kolkata, from the dialect and style of speaking, I can identify a Bangladeshi. What beats me is that these people decided to stay in East Pakistan in 1947 but migrate to India in large numbers now. To them add Rohingyas.

State financial resources are already stretched catering to the Indian poor. On top these illegal immigrants. The politician who started it was Congress leader and former Union Minister ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, known as king of Malda for over three decades till death in 2006. No one could ever defeat him in any election, and to be fair, he worked wonders for his constituency. CPI (M) took the cue from him and continued his strategy in other border areas.

If there were no Bangladeshis in West Bengal why would the Trinamool Congress engage Bangladeshi actor Ferdous to campaign for its Lok Sabha candidate from Raiganj in North Dinajpur district in April 2019. Read  Bangladeshi infiltration into West Bengal

The state government can blame the Border Security Force (BSF) and rightly so but eventually law and order is a state subject. Even after decades, India has failed to construct Border Fencing. I am not talking about the rampant cow smuggling since I do not know much about it.

11. BJP is against non-vegetarian food. Needs to clear perception.

We Bengalis love our food, period. Unlike other parts of India, we eat non-veg during Durga Puja too. I have seen many reports of TMC warning Bengalis that if BJP came to power in WB, sale of non-veg would stop. I live in a BJP ruled state in Western India and eat as much of non-veg as I wish.

Yes, BJP is against cow slaughter. Nothing wrong with that. Just like dogs are not slaughtered in the U.S. (Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act) so is it with cows in Bharat. Read Best places to eat in Kolkata

I think for far too long have the Left and TMC played upon Bengali fears. It is for the BJP to communicate clearly and change perceptions.

12. I gather from my family members that the BJP oscillates between extra and lack of interest in WB.

If BJP is serious about WB, it needs to be an active opposition party – after all it has 77 seats currently. Political parties add to the alleged BJP lack of interest by saying the RSS/BJP ranks are infiltrated by the Leftists and Urban Naxals. It is for the BJP to change perceptions.  

13. At the Centre, BJP has managed the macro economy very well and encouraged a start-up culture

Since I work with a Private Equity Firm, we track these closely. Many of us forget the days of high inflation during UPA2. I have personally seen the start-up culture flourish during visits to Gurugram, Pune, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Yet my beloved home state is nowhere on the radar.

We Bengalis love our food and eat non-veg during Durga Pujo. That is way we are.

14. Lack of Work Culture

Limited interaction with fellow resident Bengalis made me realize that decades of Left Rule diminished the work culture and intellect, I realized that when I moved out of WB. Interestingly, Bengalis outside WB are fine.

My research colleague, also Bengali, adds –

15. Why are companies shifting their registered offices out of WB?

Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra said in the Rajya Sabha that between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2025, 6,688 companies have relocated their registered offices from West Bengal to other states. He was replying to a question from BJP MP and party’s West Bengal state president, Samik Bhattacharya. It may be noted that Mamata Banerjee’s Government came to power in West Bengal in May 2011.” New Indian Express 2025 report

It means fewer jobs for local Bengalis and affects state government revenue.

16. When WB is such a resource, water, intellect rich state, why are companies investing in Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat and Maharashtra?

17. What Reforms has the WB state government introduced in the last 15 years?

I am not a political strategist like respected Prashant Kishore but an ordinary Bengali who wishes state realizes potential. Honestly, the Congress and BJP must share their vision for WB and performance record. No negative energy please.

At this point, I believe that BJP could help WB become a leading state again. So some ideas not in order of priority-

1. Come out with a Vision for West Bengal. There should be clear plan for re-industrialisation of Bengal including revamping the education and health-care.

2. A plan to depoliticise Education and the Police Force.

3. Ensure that honest Bengalis are at the forefront.

4. Communicate to change perceptions e.g. Hindi and Vegetarian food concerns.

5. Help Hindus from Bangladesh legitimately settle down in WB for e.g. Matuas.

6. Control infiltration of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. Build Border Fence.

7. Weed out communists from the state BJP team.

8. Ensure conviction of those actually involved in rape for e.g. R.G. Kar case.

9. Eliminate big-ticket corruption.

10. Take steps to stop infighting.

11. Ensure booths are managed to prevent bogus voting.

12. Ensure that during and post elections, rural population/their workers are safe.

13. Illegal trade between India and Bangladesh should be stopped.

14. Kolkata should no longer be the Money Laundering town for northeast India. I read stories during demonetization.

15. Make a conscious effort to correct demographics in WB.

16. Tighten the system for issue of birth and death certificates so that the dead do not vote.

17. Last time, a statement by Prashant Kishore before the polls made the BJP overconfident. Be grounded in 2026.

I hope the BJP/Congress have not given up on WB as if state is beyond repair. If they do, the dream of Bigger Bangladesh might come true. 

The BJP should realise that to honour Dr. Shyamaprasad Mukherjee they need to ensure that the Bengal BJP should have Bengali faces who are generationally Bengali. Hindi speakers are welcome but not at the cost of Bengalis.

Nothing against Hindi but deep down it hurts the Bengali ego that most employers are Hindi speaking today.

Pray and hope that my home state of WB chooses wisely and realizes potential.

For reasons, the author wishes to stay anonymous. She has well-being of her home state at heart and is not into politics. No offence meant to any political party or community. Love. 

Also read

1. How Durga Puja is celebrated in Kolkata and its Cultural Significance

2. Best places to eat in Kolkata

3. Violence in West Bengal elections – A Primer

4. Why has West Bengal stopped producing Great Leaders

5. Bangladeshi Infiltration into West Bengal

6. Bengal Temples-Hindu revival period 16 to 19th century

7. Sunderbans Reverie

8. Bishnupur Temples