The state BJP on Tuesday said that chief minister Mamata Banerjee is following the footstep of former chief minister Jyoti Basu by frequently undertaking foreign trips ostensibly to bring investment, though there has not been any industrial development in the state under the Trinamul Congress.

BJP leader Mukul Roy said that Jyoti Basu used to go to foreign countries claiming he was scouting for investment but their real purpose was to improve his own health, so no foreign investment worth the name came to Bengal under the Left Front regime.

“The same thing is happening now. Miss Banerjee is frequently going to foreign countries for sightseeing and change of climate. She is claiming that her trips aim at roping in foreign investors but not a penny has been invested by foreign entrepreneur in West Bengal.”

Mr Roy said that investors will not invest in the state as the law and order situation is worse than in any other state of the country and her goons make sure that the opposition is wiped out in every way possible. “According to Miss Banerjee, development means to oust the Opposition parties from the state and cause bloodbath accordingly. Around 72 BJP workers were killed this year over the panchayat polls. In 2013, 61 persons were killed following the panchayat election. Three persons from a backward community were killed at Balarampur in Purulia by mercenaries hired by the TMC in response to the TMC’s supremo ‘s call to oust the Opposition,” said Mr Roy.

The former TMC MP also said that the state government is totally unsuccessful in trying to develop several sectors including industry, education, health and culture. “Not a single inch of development took place in any sector during Miss Banerjee’s tenure. Volumes of the properties of a section of TMC’s leaders were increased. Who had one rice mill and now has seven more units?” he questioned.

The state BJP from on Monday started staging protest rallies across the state against the killing of two party workers in Purulia district a few days back. The BJP organised protest rallies in Murshidabad, Hoogly, Alipurduar and East Midnapore districts and submitted representations to the district magistrates regarding the worsening law and order situation.

The party plans to organise protests and demonstrations in Bengal and New Delhi during the period of 18- 24 June, protesting against the alleged killings of two BJP activists, Dulal Kumar and Trilochan Mahato, who were found hanging in Purulia district on 2 June and 31 May respectively.