• Here are observations by a professional, now non-resident of Kolkata, about her home state and ideas for the BJP that even the TMC can use.

DRAFT

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, Lahiri Mahasa 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.    

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 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 it has done against the 2020 Delhi Riots accused. The thought is 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 how 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, if leaders do not speak in Bengali, it gives the TMC one more opportunity to levy 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 essentially run by the States but Central government support is equally important. 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, learnt that 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 the BJP ordinary people like Chauhan, Mohan Yadav, Modi, Yogi A sprung up from nowhere to become Chief Ministers.

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 power of Double Engine Sarkar and vision of local leaders. Even Bihar has progressed and might do better in the next five years.

My home state, WB, is still stuck in a different era. Since work takes to these and other 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, improving the quality of living. 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-yet where are we today!

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

9. 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 today migrate to India in large number. To them add Rohingyas.

State financial resources are already stretched catering to the Indian poor. On top of that these illegal immigrants. The politician who started it was Congress leader and former Union Minister ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, who was king of Malda for over three decades till his death in 2006. No one could ever defeat him in any election, and to be fair, he worked wonders for his constituency and was loved by all. 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 Trinamul 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.

10. 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, I find nothing wrong with that. Just like dogs are not slaughtered in the U.S. out of love and respect, so is it with cows. 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.

11. I gather from my family members that the BJP oscillates between extra interest in WB 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.  

12. 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.

I am not a political strategist like the respected Prashant Kishore but an ordinary Bengali who wishes my state realizes potential. 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 heath systems. 2. A plan to depoliticise Education and the Police Force.

3. Ensure that honest Bengalis are at the forefront.

4. Communicate to change perceptions for e.g. Hindi and Vegetarian food shall not be imposed.

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

6. Control infiltration of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas.

7. Weed out communists from the state BJP team.

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

9. Eliminate big ticket corruption like in Coal etc.

10. Take steps to stop infighting.

11. Ensure that booths are managed well to prevent bogus voting.

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

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

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

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 in Bengal but not at the cost of Bengalis.

Nothing against Hindu 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.

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