Four political leaders invite Elon Musk to set up Tesla plants in their states

Two days ago, Telangana minister K T Rama Rao, too, had expressed his state’s willingness to partner with Tesla in its bid to set up a facility in India.

Patil, Maharashtra’s Minister for Water Resources, said, “Maharashtra is a leading industrial state of India. The state which houses Mumbai, the economic capital of the country, has always been conducive for investors.”

In an open invitation to Musk on Twitter, Patil asked him to consider setting up a manufacturing plant for Tesla cars in the state. “Maharashtra is one of the most progressive states in India. We will provide you all the necessary help from Maharashtra for you to get established in India. We invite you to establish your manufacturing plant in Maharashtra,” the tweet said.

.@elonmusk, Maharashtra is one of the most progressive states in India. We will provide you all the necessary help from Maharashtra for you to get established in India. We invite you to establish your manufacturing plant in Maharashtra. https://t.co/w8sSZTpUpb

— Jayant Patil- जयंत पाटील (@Jayant_R_Patil) January 16, 2022

The NCP minister’s invite came shortly after Musk voiced his concerns regarding high import duties in India. “Still working through a lot of challenges with the government of India,” he had tweeted Thursday. Tesla has been hoping that the government would extend some concessions to it.

The Union Heavy Industries Ministry had earlier refused to give a blanket commitment in this regard, but urged the firm to first begin manufacturing the electric vehicles. Sources said the ministry’s primary concern was that other firms may seek similar concessions. “At present, it is not extending any special concession to auto manufacturing plants in India. If it were to consider Tesla as a special case and give concessions on import duties, it would be unfair on existing companies which have already made huge investments,” an official said.

Nevertheless, Patil’s invitation to Musk has come as a big surprise. NCP sources, however, said, “Patil’s offer to Musk is plain. Every state has the right to get the big and best investors.”

Punjab Congress chief Sidhu and West Bengal minister Rabbani also extended similar invitations to Musk.

Sidhu tweeted, “I invite @elonmusk, Punjab Model will create Ludhiana as hub for Electric Vehicles & Battery industry with time bound single window clearance for investment that brings new technology to Punjab, create green jobs, walking path of environment preservation & sustainable development.”

I invite @elonmusk, Punjab Model will create Ludhiana as hub for Electric Vehicles & Battery industry with time bound single window clearance for investment that brings new technology to Punjab, create green jobs, walking path of environment preservation & sustainable development https://t.co/kXDMhcdVi6

— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) January 16, 2022

Rabbani, who is the Bengal minister for minority development and madrasa education, tweeted, “Drop here, we in West Bengal have best infra & our leader @MamataOfficial has got the vision. Bengal means Business.”

Drop here, we in West Bengal have best infra & our leader @MamataOfficial has got the vision.

Bengal means Business … https://t.co/CXtx4Oq7y5

— Md Ghulam Rabbani (রাব্বানী) (@GhulamRabbani_) January 15, 2022

This, in turn, drew a sharp response from the BJP. Mocking Rabbani, BJP’s IT cell in-charge Amit Malviya, “You might think it is a joke. But it isn’t! West Bengal’s minister in charge for Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education has made an offer to Elon Musk to come invest in WB. His pitch will start with Mamata Banerjee’s record on post poll violence and end with Singur agitation?”