“What is very clear is that some of the policies, which the (Bengal) government pursued, did not find favour with the people. Industrialisation has to take place. But in the name of industrialisation, you cannot take away fertile agriculture land,” Bardhan said at a press meet organised by Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists.

“In the name of industrialisation, we cannot bring industries, which I think, are not going to cater immediately to the needs of people. Chemical hub or a Nano car factory, these cannot be priorities,” he said.

Minorities, who are in substantial numbers in West Bengal, have also moved away from the Left, which is another important reason for failure of the ruling coalition at the hustings, Bardhan, whose party is part of the CPM-led government in the state, said.