Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address a public gathering in Singur, Hooghly district, on January 18 during his scheduled two-day visit to West Bengal. His itinerary will also include a visit to Malda. According to BJP sources, Modi is set to speak at a massive rally at Tata Field in Singur, which is expected to draw lakhs of supporters. Local party leaders are actively managing preparations. BJP officials believe Modi’s visit will convey a strong message regarding industrial development and economic growth in the state.
Singur has been chosen as a rally site for its symbolic significance. In 2006, Mamata Banerjee led protests against land acquisition for Tata Motors’ Nano project, which eventually prompted the company to shift production to Gujarat. Over the years, residents of Singur have expressed regret over supporting Banerjee’s stance, as many local farmers and communities feel that the promised industrial growth never materialized after Tata’s exit.
Ahead of the rally, BJP national president JP Nadda will visit West Bengal on January 8 and 9 to review the party’s preparations for the 2026 Assembly elections. During his visit, Nadda will meet district leaders, party workers, and members of the BJP Doctors’ Cell to assess ground-level issues and collect feedback. BJP working president Nitin Nabin is also expected to visit the state soon to monitor party activities and election readiness.
The 2006 Singur land protests were pivotal in propelling Mamata Banerjee to power in 2011, ending the Left Front’s 34-year rule in West Bengal. However, in recent years, residents of Singur have expressed dissatisfaction with the Trinamool Congress government, citing its failure to revive fallow land and restore industrial opportunities after Tata Motors relocated. Local farmers blame the TMC for stalling economic development in the region.
During the winter session of Parliament, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman strongly criticized the West Bengal government, asserting that its policies have hindered growth despite extensive support from the central government. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Sitharaman emphasized that West Bengal has not been neglected by the Narendra Modi-led government. She highlighted that it is the state leadership under Mamata Banerjee that has slowed development, pointing out that the state withdrew from the Ayushman Bharat Scheme in January 2019, which adversely affected public welfare.
Since 2011, industries have been leaving West Bengal, with 448 listed companies and 6,447 unlisted firms relocating elsewhere. Between 2014 and 2025, the central government transferred Rs. 5.94 lakh crore to West Bengal as tax devolution, a significant increase compared to Rs.1.34 lakh crore provided during 2004-14. Under the Special Assistance Scheme for Industrial Corridors (SASCI), Rs. 24,000 crore has been allocated as interest-free loans for 50 years to promote industrial development.
Infrastructure growth in West Bengal under the NDA government has been notable. AIIMS Kalyani has been inaugurated, and eleven new medical colleges have been approved under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The state received a record railway budget allocation of Rs.13,955 crore for 2025-26, more than three times the average allocation during 2009-14. Additionally, 101 Amrit Stations are under development at a cost of Rs. 3,847.5 crore. Over 1,650 km of railway lines have been electrified, bringing total electrification to more than 98% in West Bengal. Since April 2014, over 2,300 km of National Highways have been constructed.
In August 2024, the Government of India approved the development of Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, estimated at Rs.1,549 crore, further enhancing connectivity and economic prospects in the state. BJP leaders highlight these initiatives to contrast central support with perceived inaction by the TMC government. Modi’s rally in Singur is expected to emphasize industrial revival, economic development, and central-state collaboration to boost growth, while also addressing long-standing local grievances from the Tata Nano project era.
