India
CPI(M) Leader Biman Basu Clarifies Remarks on Left Front Industrial Policy
Senior CPI(M) leader Biman Basu retracted remarks made on November 6, 2026, in which he blamed former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu for problems with the state’s industrial policy during the Left Front era. Basu had said, “The Left Front government’s industrial policy was adopted and announced under the leadership of Comrade Jyoti Basu. If there were any problems with that industrial policy, it was Jyoti Basu’s fault. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was given the responsibility to implement that industrial policy.” The statement came after the BJP government in West Bengal announced an investment promotion policy on November 5, 2026, offering incentives for new industries. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari blamed the policy of forcible land acquisition under former Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee for the decline in industrial prospects. Basu’s comments sparked speculation that he was defending Bhattacharjee by shifting blame to Jyoti Basu. On the following day, Basu clarified that he had not intended to create divisions between the two Left Front chief ministers. He said, “The industrial policy was announced in the eighties by the then Chief Minister, Comrade Jyoti Basu. Accordingly, industries have developed. Thermal power plants have been built.” He added that the lack of industrial growth during the past 15 years of the Trinamool Congress regime should not be blamed on the Left and reiterated that the policy was not announced by Bhattacharjee. Bhattacharjee, who led West Bengal from 2000 to 2011, is viewed as having attempted to revive industrial prospects but was criticized for forcible land acquisition, which contributed to the Trinamool Congress’s 2011 victory. CPI(M) opponents, including Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, attribute capital flight from the state to militant trade unionism. Published – November 07, 2026 03:39 am IST