Laloo Prasad Yadav once during an interview when asked about the need for better roads and computer technology in Bihar sarcastically remarked ; BIHAR MEY GARIB LOG HAI , BAILGAADI PEY CHALTA HAI , ROAD AUR COMPUTER KA KYA KAREGA.
In his just 10-12 years of rule he and his wife turned Bihar into a jungle. All the skilled and educated men and women had to migrate elsewhere in search of jobs and for better education, because Bihar neither could give them Jobs nor the much needed modern education and skills.
The elections do take place in Bihar, Govts are BEING FORMED, which may be rated as better than what Laloo provided but bringing back the talent and taking Bihar out of that vicious circle of mismanagement has been proving to be an uphill task, because the duo LALOO and his kins spoiled the whole environment and its no more conducive for growth.
West Bengal also, it appears prima facie may turn into another Bihar over a period of time, if corrective measures are not taken. The Best brains and skilled people of Bengal are already migrating to other parts of the country and are contributing immensely to the growth of other states economy.
Despite being at strategic entry point for markets in Southeast Asia and also for entire North East India, it has not been able to realize its full potential because perhaps of its myopic Political Leadership which remains mired in petty politics.
There are many states which would have faired much better with such an advantageous position, afterall Geography plays an important role in the economic development of a nation or a province. But West Bengal has not been able to do so.
In terms of GDP it is on sixth spot amongst Indian states, and in terms of per capita income it is ranked 23rd, and ease to do business it has climbed to 9th spot from 15th spot, which is creditable.
However, when we notice that on ; availability of infrastructure, number of existing Factories, power and transmission losses, availability of power, number of sick industrial units etc the State is ranked amongst the lowest, then it is unlikely that West Bengal will be able to attract business / investments due to these handicaps. Doing well on various parameters of Ease to Do Business does not gurantee better investments because these handicaps will prove to be a deterrence for any entrepreneur to invest in the state. Even the deteriorating law and order situation is not going to serve as any encouragement to an entrepreneur.
In addition to all this, it is amongst the top ranking states which have highest internal debts and external debts.
All this, makes it amply clear that Bengal even in near future with the kind of political leadership it has now, is likely to utilise its full potential and use its strategic geographical location optimally to its advantage.
West Bengal traditionally has been the pioneer of cosmopolitan culture in the country, it has given us great thinkers, artistes, philosophers, scientists, doctors, reformers, political activists who have contributed immensely towards the wholesome development of Bharat, on a lighter note there was a time when ARMY MEDICAL CORPS( AMC) was sometimes termed as Army of Mukherjees and Chatterjees because it had many doctors from Bengal.
But sadly because of the wrong policies, Bengal has lost that leadership role and now it is known for one of the highest number of sick industrial units, and it may soon contribute towards the largest immigrants of skilled people. All those who have doubts on the data I have quoted are most welcome to visit Deptt of Commerce, RBI and Niti Ayog sites and see for themselves.
Now over a period of last 10-20 years, Mr Modi has made development a kind of Inter State Competition. After Modiji started Vibrant Gujrat Investors meet, Today almost all state CMs are organizing Global Investors meet, now whether they are able to attract the investment or not that’s a different topic altogether.
I remember way back in 2012 , few CMs approached the then PM Mr Man Mohan Singh complaining that Modi is luring the Automobile companies to Gujarat who were known to be traditionally investing in Tamil Nadu and South India.
And once Mr Modi became the PM, he in his speeches on numerous occasions stated the need for the State CMs to compete with each other on the issue of various parameters of Development ; Roads, Power availability, per capita income, GDP, Investments, etc.
The Indian politicians were not capable to compete on these benchmarks, they had been traditionally winning elections on petty political issues ; secularism, social justice, reservations, freebees, doles etc and so finding themselves incompetent to take on Modi on these aspects they started resorting to maligning, abusing Modi, Dragging in AMBANIS AND ADANIS, abusing Gujaratis and when that has also failed and may be likely to fail in West Bengal , Mamta Banerjee has now devised a new method to face the Modi threat, she has invented a WHEEL CHAIR which may perhaps keep her in power for another Five years, she perhaps thinks it that way.
But , I will not be surprised that if Bengal Votes for the WHEEL CHAIR , it would imply that it reposes trust on the same leadership which has brought the state to the brink of getting trapped, the State may enter the same vicious circle as Bihar finds itself in now, and then it may need a wheel chair for itself to move ahead thereafter.