Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and IT cell head Amit Malviya on Monday alleged that West Bengal has witnessed a sharp industrial decline under the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, pointing to the departure of 6,688 companies from the state over the past 14 years. In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), Malviya, who also serves as the BJP’s co-observer for the state, claimed that between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2025, these companies relocated their registered offices from West Bengal to other Indian states. He stated that 110 of the 6,688 companies were listed on the stock exchange at the time of their departure. According to Malviya, the data reflects the erosion of investor confidence and the decline of West Bengal’s status as a business destination, once regarded as a key industrial centre in eastern India. He said the exodus was particularly severe during the financial years 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2017–18, when the state saw 869, 918, and 1,027 companies leave, respectively. Malviya noted that the bulk of the relocating companies moved to Maharashtra, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, with significant numbers also shifting to Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. Other destinations included Assam, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, which also attracted hundreds of firms. Calling the migration a symptom of deeper economic issues, Malviya wrote, “This isn’t just a number—it represents lost jobs, economic decline, and shrinking investor confidence in West Bengal. It’s time to ask: Who is accountable for this economic migration?” The Trinamool Congress has not yet issued a response to the allegations. However, the ruling party has previously dismissed similar claims, maintaining that West Bengal continues to attract investment through initiatives such as the Bengal Global Business Summit and that changes in company registration often reflect corporate restructuring rather than economic failure. Let me know if you’d like a shortened version or want to add a TMC reaction when available.
