It’s hardly three years that she was branded as anti-industry by India Inc, when Tatas left Singure, and on Friday as Mamata Banerjee upset 35-year old Left Front’s apple-cart, Corporate Calcutta was only too prompt in pledging their investments to West Bengal, which will now be led by Banerjee. Some of the industry captains, enjoying best of relationship with the Bengal’s Left Front government were the first ones to make their investments, not concrete though.

Sanjiv Goenka, Vice Chairman, RPG Enterprises, who is now out of India, said from London, “What was being expected by many for some time has happened - along with Mamata Banerjee, democracy has triumphed in our State. The 2011 voting is an eye-opener to the rest of world, creating new confidence in Bengal. Now is the time for business to put its best foot forward and help our new leader build a better Bengal. I continue to be committed to investing strongly in the State.”

His father, the septuagenarian Rama Prasad Goenka, Chairman Emeritus, RPG Enterprises, “Another example of ‘What Bengal thinks today, others will think tomorrow’. By all means, a great moment for democracy. This is not the time to ask what she can do for us, but to tell her what we can do to help her regain Bengal’s lost glory.”

Harsh Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Realty Ltd also committed his group’s increasing involvement in taking the state government to new height under the new government. “We look forward to making our own humble efforts towards this endeavour and helping Bengal rise to greater heights,” said Neotia.

“It is evident that people have reposed their faith in Mamata Banerjee's promise. Now that the political uncertainties,plaguing the state over the last few years are over, it is time that we once again regain the confidence of investors and push ahead for growth and development. The fiscal health of the state is a matter of concern. This needs to be addressed on a priority basis.We need to speed up investment in infrastructure particularly state highways,”added Neotia.

Quite like Neotia, Ruia Group Chairman, Pawan Kumar Ruia also spoke of the current state of affairs in the state, particularly with respect to economy and industry and sounded positive on the type of things likely to come in the new regime under Banerjee.

“West Bengal today may not be categorised as a developed state in any economic sense. But this is what gives the new government ample room for improvement. What we need today from the new dispensation is an industry-friendly policy, and the government must vigorously follow this policy to turn the state into an attractive destination for investment. We also need a proactive and direct approach from the new government that could change the negative preception that this state has in the rest of the country. The government needs to set achievable goals and pursue them to the end. Most importantly, one has to get out of the habit of 'bandhs' and man-day losses,” Ruia said.

He hoped that the Public Private Partnerships announced by the railway ministry in its budget will now be taken upon on a priority basis, especially in West Bengal. This will not only address the acute shortage of fresh investments in the manufacturing sector, but will also act as a harbinger of heightened industrial activity in this state.

Hemant Kanoria, CMD, Srei Infrastructure Finance Limited, said, “A regime change after 34 years is as good as a generation change. Thus, the win of the TMC + Congress alliance ushers in a new era in our state and we welcome the change. We sincerely hope that the new government will be able to bring with it a new vigour and a new sense of urgency. To script a resurgence of our state we need fresh ideas, a positive attitude and an able leadership with a clear vision. In this respect, I must admit that I was thoroughly impressed to go through the 55 page election manifesto of the TMC where it has set goals for itself with clear deadlines. If the new government is able to accomplish even 50 per cent of its targets, that would be no mean an achievement.”

The otherwise reserved (and more so on issues pertaining to politics) ITC Chairman Y C Deveshwar said, “We look forward to continuing our partnership with the state government to enlarge our investment contribution in West Bengal."