NEW DELHI: Ratan Tata shut down his 1,500-crore Nano project from West Bengal in 2008 and shifted it to Gujarat . But this move had more factors at its play: 400 acres of farm land, Mamata's protests and Modi 's SMS.
The opposition Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, led by Mamata Banerjee , had led widespread protests after the state government had rejected her demand to return 400 acres land to farmers.
In a move that was termed "sad" by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tata announced his exit plan. Modi, the then chief minister of Gujarat, spotted an opportunity and slid into the industrialist's DMs with a 'welcome' text.
"When Ratan Tata said in a press conference in Kolkata that they are leaving West Bengal, I sent him a short SMS saying 'welcome'. And now you can see what a Re 1 (worth) SMS can do," Modi had said.
Ratan Tata, who had made it clear that he could not afford to return 400 acres of land to farmers, said, "When we searched for another Nano plant, we wanted to move to peace and harmony. Gujarat stood out against all others in guaranteeing us all that we needed. 'It was not just Tata's project, it is our project', Modi told us. We owe a great lot of gratitude for the support and confidence placed in us."
Modi had said that numerous countries were eager to assist with the Nano project, but Gujarat government officials worked to ensure the project remained in India.
Production of Nano cars was discontinued in 2018.
Ratan Tata passed away on Wednesday night. He was 86 years old.
The opposition Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, led by Mamata Banerjee , had led widespread protests after the state government had rejected her demand to return 400 acres land to farmers.
In a move that was termed "sad" by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tata announced his exit plan. Modi, the then chief minister of Gujarat, spotted an opportunity and slid into the industrialist's DMs with a 'welcome' text.
"When Ratan Tata said in a press conference in Kolkata that they are leaving West Bengal, I sent him a short SMS saying 'welcome'. And now you can see what a Re 1 (worth) SMS can do," Modi had said.
Ratan Tata, who had made it clear that he could not afford to return 400 acres of land to farmers, said, "When we searched for another Nano plant, we wanted to move to peace and harmony. Gujarat stood out against all others in guaranteeing us all that we needed. 'It was not just Tata's project, it is our project', Modi told us. We owe a great lot of gratitude for the support and confidence placed in us."
Modi had said that numerous countries were eager to assist with the Nano project, but Gujarat government officials worked to ensure the project remained in India.
Production of Nano cars was discontinued in 2018.
Ratan Tata passed away on Wednesday night. He was 86 years old.
