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Most of them said that they will step up investment plans following TMC’s victory.
"We are and have been committed to Bengal," said Sanjiv Goenka, chairman, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group. "Mamata Banerjee infuses great confidence on the future of Bengal and on investing in Bengal."
When asked about what concerns he had, Harshavardhan Neotia, chairman of the Ambuja Neotia Group, said this was not the time to think of obstacles to expansion.
"At this moment, we should look forward to an aggressive agenda for growth and development and not focus on concerns," he said. "This victory is particularly noteworthy because it was fought against a combined opposition and a rather shrill campaign."
The vote of confidence suggests that Banerjee’s relations with business have improved. Having swept to power five years ago at the crest of a wave of public anger over forced land acquisitions for industrial purposes, the chief minister has sought to build bridges in order to drum up investments and generate jobs.
Still, the fears over populist impulses are real. After the results came in, Banerjee declared: "It is the magic of Ma, Maati, Manush, and not mine. Mamata belongs to the Manush (people)."
Sunil Kanoria, vice chairman of Srei Infrastructure Finance Ltd, said: "The emphatic return of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee sends out a clear signal that there is no alternative to people-centric policies. Her second term should focus on overall development of the state and bringing in ease of doing business. This will boost investment."
Banerjee’s continuance in office will mean more ambitious investment strategies for some.
"A lot of ground work is being done in rural Bengal, including creation of new infrastructure. This will gradually change the atmosphere in Bengal," said SK Birla, director emeritus, Birla Brothers.
CenturyPly managing director Sanjay Agarwal said: "Continuity and stability will save lot of time and energy of everybody. The experience of five years and uncertainty created during the election will make her determined to deliver better. And I believe she will."
Those who took part in the survey run enterprises engaged in the areas of retail, real estate, cement, finance, fertilizer, education, commodities, power, information technology, telecom and hospitals. The questions asked included whether they believed the return of the incumbent was good for industry, whether investment plans would change and what their main concerns were.
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