“Betrayal”: Jairam Ramesh On Relocation Of Key Maharashtra Projects To Gujarat
Congress General Secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, has sharply criticised the central government and Prime Minister Narendra over the decisions to relocate key investment projects initially planned for Maharashtra to Gujarat and other states. Speaking out ahead of the November 20 state elections, he referred to this shift as a “betrayal” of Maharashtra’s interests, accusing the central and state governments of systematically undermining the state’s growth prospects to favour Gujarat.
Ramesh specifically highlighted the Tata-Airbus C-295 aircraft manufacturing facility, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate in Vadodara. This project, Ramesh pointed out, was initially intended for Nagpur, Maharashtra, but was transferred to Gujarat in 2022 just before the state’s assembly elections. “One can only imagine the machinations that went on behind the scenes to ensure that Maharashtra lost out on this key investment,” he commented.
Ramesh argued that this incident is not an isolated case. He listed a series of other significant projects that were redirected from Maharashtra, raising questions about the central government’s priorities:
He argued that an International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) that had been in development for Mumbai since 2006 was instead established in Gujarat’s GIFT City. According to Ramesh, land had been set aside in Bandra Kurla Complex for the project, which could have brought as many as 200,000 jobs to Mumbai.
He claimed the Bharat Diamond Bourse, another important development in the diamond industry, was moved to Surat from Mumbai. This relocation, he claimed, did not succeed as anticipated, with several merchants returning to Mumbai for business.
The proposed Vedanta-Foxconn semiconductor manufacturing plant, along with the Tata-Airbus facility, was also rerouted from Maharashtra to Gujarat, he claimed.
Jairam Ramesh also said the Textile Commissionerate Office, which had been based in Mumbai for over 80 years, was recently relocated to Delhi, despite Mumbai’s substantial role in the textile industry.
The Dattopant Thengadi National Board for Workers Education & Development was also transferred from Nagpur to Delhi in 2021, the Congress leader said.
Ramesh criticised the delay in granting classical language status to Marathi, which only materialised after consistent pressure from the Congress and civil society organisations in Maharashtra.
Ramesh emphasised that Maharashtra has historically supported equitable development across India, arguing that new industrial and infrastructure projects should not disproportionately benefit any single state. He referenced Gujarat’s own development in the 1970s and 80s, noting that large projects were introduced without removing them from other states.
Ramesh, however, expressed confidence that the people of Maharashtra will voice their discontent at what he labelled a betrayal by Prime Minister Modi and his government. The Congress party, in alliance with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), remains committed to ensuring fair growth and development for Maharashtra and for the nation as a whole, he argued.
