PM Modi to Rally in Singur, Revisiting Tata Nano’s Departure

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a public rally today in Singur, a town in West Bengal’s Hooghly district. This event is significant as it revisits the controversial exit of Tata Motors’ small car project, the Nano, in 2008. The project’s withdrawal followed intense protests led by the Trinamool Congress, which was then in opposition, against land acquisition practices that were seen as detrimental to local farmers.

During a press conference on October 3, 2008, Ratan Tata, the former chairman of the Tata Group, expressed his dismay at the situation. “I said that I will not pull out from Singur even if a gun is put on my head. But Miss Banerjee just pulled the trigger,” he stated, marking a pivotal moment in the region’s economic history. Following the project’s cancellation, Tata Motors relocated the Nano production facility to Sanand in Gujarat, where Narendra Modi served as Chief Minister at the time.

As Prime Minister Modi prepares to speak, anticipation builds around how he will reference this historical backdrop in his address. The rally is part of a broader campaign leading up to the crucial Assembly elections in West Bengal, set for later this year. The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has already launched extensive promotional efforts related to the rally, emphasizing the economic impact of the Nano project’s exit.

Former BJP state president and current Union Minister of State, Sukanta Majumdar, articulated the party’s vision, stating, “The Nano exit from Singur was not only a setback for this belt of the Hooghly district but also ruined the future potential investments in the entire West Bengal. Our aim is to bring back Tata Group with a project at Singur. If the BJP comes to power, not only Singur but all of West Bengal will regain its past glory as an investment hub.”

In addition to the rally, Prime Minister Modi will also participate in a virtual inauguration of several central government projects, primarily focused on Indian Railways. His visit is strategically important, reflecting both administrative objectives and the political landscape as the state gears up for elections.

Previously, on December 20, 2023, Modi attempted to hold a public meeting in Taherpur, located in the Nadia district. However, dense fog forced his helicopter to turn back, leading him to address the audience via an audio bridge instead. During that address, he assured attendees of a prompt return to West Bengal.

The day’s events in Singur will not only evoke memories of a critical chapter in the region’s industrial history but also set the tone for the BJP’s campaign strategy as it seeks to gain ground in a state currently governed by the Trinamool Congress. As the political landscape evolves, all eyes will be on Modi’s remarks and their potential implications for the upcoming elections.