Worried about bankrupt Bengal, Mamata Banerjee plans economic reforms

As Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee created a roadmap for Bengal’s resurgence, conscious that she may win the political battle but end up inheriting a bankrupt state, she pegged her plans on a high dose of economic reforms — primarily depending on private investment.

Party sources told DNA that since she is seen as a formidable Left opponent, she would have to depend on “advice from prime minister Manmohan Singh’s pro-reform lobby in Delhi” to negotiate with the state’s high indebtedness and a somewhat non-transparent bureaucracy to attract funds in the infrastructure and social sector.

Given that she will need massive funding for Bengal’s economic rejuvenation, she is keen to continuing her alliance with the Congress and the UPA . This will mean that she is bound to ignore BJP and the Left’s attacks on the PM over corruption charges.

“The situation is rather very worrisome,” a senior TMC leader told DNA. “The Left may go but leave behind a shattered economy and many unemployed, which the new government will have to rebuild again both by generating funds and jobs.” He also added that the state needed massive funds to rebuild the higher education system.

The manifesto released on Monday gave a detailed investment scenario in West Bengal vis-a-vis states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.