Mamata pleads with investors with folded hands, opposition ridicules

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday literally pleaded with industrials to invest in the far-flung districts in the northern parts of the state. Her folded hands plea attracted the opposition's ridicule.

Addressing an event at Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar district, Banerjee assured investors all kinds of assistance including 50 percent subsidy.

"To all my industrialist friends, I urge you with folded hands. We are giving you 50 percent subsidy, we will provide you whatever you want, in the faraway districts, where the opportunities are less, please come and invest," said Banerjee.

"We will assist you in whatever ways possible," she said at the event where she distributed bicycles to students under the 'Sabuj Sathi' scheme of her government.

The opposition was quick to attack the Trinamool Congress supremo, saying her plea was a testament of the poor industrial scenario in the state.

"All these years, the chief minister has been assuring the industrial scenario in the state to be excellent. She kept on saying that industry was flourishing and employment being generated. If the scenario was really so, then she wouldn't have to plead to the investors like this," said state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

"By making a plea with folded hands, the chief minister has made it clear that there is no industry in the state," added Chowdhury.

Speaking in the same vein, state Bharatiya Janata Party chief Rahul Sinha ridiculed Banerjee over her visits to Singapore and London to attract investments.

"She went to London, Singapore, held business summits across India but to no avail. Finding no takers, she now has to plead with the investors. This reflects the extent of damage, industry in Bengal has sustained under this government," said Sinha.

Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Samik Lahiri charged the ruling Trinamool with turning industry into a "crematorium" in the state.