Kolkata: Rattled by Chairman Emeritus of Tata Group's comment that no industrial development had taken place in West Bengal, the state Finance Minister Amit Mitra today said, “Onar motibhrom hoyeche (Ratan Tata has lost his mind)”.
Mitra took a dig at the veteran industrialist by saying that probably he isn't aware of development process happening all around him.
“I don't know why he said this. TCS has told the Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee) in Mumbai that it would create 20,000 jobs in a new campus. Maybe he hasn't kept tabs. Tata Metallicks applied to us last week. They want to expand. Doesn't he know Anil Ambani is investing here? If I give you a list, it will take up all day. Perhaps he should concentrate on his other hobbies like flying planes." Mitra said.
Ratan Tata's comments came as he spoke freely at an interactive session organized by the Ladies' Study Group on Wednesday. Ratan tata not only chided West Bengal for lack of industrial development but he also praised Narendra Modi for his excellent work in Gujarat.
"When I was coming from the airport I could see a lot of development coming up. I saw a lot of residential and commercial buildings but I couldn't see an industry. All this looks like countryside development," said Tata, adding that he would like everyone to "look at what Narendra Modi has done for Gujarat".
Ratan Tata was quite positive about Modi's taking over as Prime Minister and he hoped that India will be back on the growth trajectory.
The BJP in Bengal seized the opportunity to use Ratan Tata's industrialists comments to target Mamata Banerjee and her party.
"Driving by Tata Motors' abandoned factory at Singur. What a HORRIBLE message about West Bengal was sent out to the country!" remarked party leader Tathagata Roy.
