In a damning revelation that underscores West Bengal’s deteriorating industrial climate under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Parliament was informed on Tuesday that a staggering 6,688 companies have relocated from the state in the last 14 years. This mass corporate migration has triggered sharp political backlash, with BJP leaders slamming the Trinamool Congress government for presiding over what they describe as a complete collapse of the state’s economic environment. As per the data shared by Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Transport, Harsh Malhotra, the exodus occurred between April 1, 2011, and March 31, 2025—a period that precisely aligns with Mamata Banerjee’s tenure as Chief Minister.
The alarming figure was disclosed in response to a question posed by BJP Rajya Sabha MP and West Bengal party president Samik Bhattacharya, further fuelling the narrative that Bengal’s economic downfall is deeply rooted in Trinamool’s misrule. The BJP has now mounted a full-scale attack on the state government, citing this data as evidence of the sharp decline in investor confidence, growing lawlessness, and the influx of illegal migrants such as Rohingyas—factors they claim are choking Bengal’s once-thriving business sector.
Investor Confidence Plummets Amid Policy Instability
Reacting swiftly to the Union Minister’s disclosure, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya took to social media platform X to expose the grim reality of Mamata Banerjee’s industrial policies. “Under the Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee, 6,688 companies have relocated their registered offices from West Bengal to other Indian states between April 1, 2011, and March 31, 2025,” Malviya posted, adding that “110 of them were listed entities at the time of their exit.”
Malviya didn’t stop there. He attributed this mass corporate exit to the “poor governance, policy instability, and lack of investor confidence” that have become hallmarks of the Mamata regime. “While Bengal once stood as a hub for enterprise, Mamata Banerjee has turned it into an unwelcoming terrain for businesses,” he wrote. His remarks echoed concerns long raised by economists and business leaders who feel stifled by Bengal’s unfriendly regulatory environment and absence of proactive industrial outreach.
Trinamool’s Decade of Decline
The years 2015-16 to 2017-18 offer a telling insight into the situation. During this three-year period alone, 2,814 companies moved their registered offices out of West Bengal—869 in 2015-16, 918 in 2016-17, and 1,027 in 2017-18. This timeframe coincides with the first and second terms of Mamata Banerjee’s administration, suggesting that the exodus was not a one-off trend but part of a deepening and sustained industrial collapse.
Rather than taking accountability, the TMC has often blamed external factors or dismissed these departures as routine corporate decisions. However, the volume, consistency, and high-profile nature of the companies involved tell a different story. Bengal, once the crown jewel of India’s industrial progress, is now seeing even mid-sized enterprises relocate to states like Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra—regions that offer policy clarity, law and order, and a business-friendly ecosystem, all of which Bengal now lacks under Mamata’s leadership.
Law and Order Crisis and Illegal Infiltration Add Fuel to Fire
Beyond the economic and policy failures, Bengal’s rapidly declining law and order situation has further discouraged corporate operations in the state. From political violence to syndicate raj and extortion rackets, industrialists find it increasingly difficult to operate in peace. The unchecked influx of Rohingya migrants, particularly in border districts like North 24 Parganas and Murshidabad, has also become a major security concern for businesses. BJP leaders allege that Trinamool’s “vote bank politics” has led to a soft approach on illegal immigration, creating lawlessness and burdening civic infrastructure—indirectly impacting the business climate.
The Mamata administration’s alleged complicity in shielding criminal elements under the guise of minority appeasement has worsened investor sentiment. In such a scenario, many companies have simply chosen to cut their losses and exit the state, rather than endure the uncertainty and risk associated with remaining in Bengal.
Mamata’s Bengal, A State in Economic Freefall
The mass departure of 6,688 companies is not just a number; it is a reflection of a state losing its soul. West Bengal, once synonymous with commerce and culture, is now increasingly seen as a no-go zone for industries. Under Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress, the state has seen the erosion of law and order, the rise of illegal settlements, and the destruction of a once-vibrant industrial landscape.
Despite repeated warnings and now hard data presented in Parliament, the TMC continues to remain in denial, choosing politics over progress. As the 2026 Assembly elections inch closer, the BJP is likely to make this a central issue, demanding not just economic reforms but also a complete overhaul of governance in West Bengal. For the time being, however, the writing is on the wall: Bengal is bleeding businesses, and Mamata’s regime bears the full responsibility.
