Gandhi as talks 'mediator' urged

SINGUR/KOLKATA Sept. 1: Twenty-four hours after turning down Governor Mr Gopalkrishna Gandhi's proposal to name a mediator for ending the Singur Tata small car project imbroglio, the Trinamul Congress today urged Mr Gandhi to “take the initiative” himself for arriving at a solution at the earliest, virtually requesting Mr Gandhi to act as the mediator. Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee thanked the Governor for giving him a copy of the letter he wrote to the Trinamul chief with a set of proposals to find a way out of the impasse and said he “agreed with the contents”, but was evasive on the question of referring the vexed issue of return of land to the unwilling farmers to a mediator. The Governor had proposed in the letter that “an unbiased mediator “with no political or industrial affiliations” be invited to examine the demand and “give carefully thought-out findings for the consideration of all sides.” He also suggested that till the recommendations are finalised, status quo be maintained on the land under dispute. The chief minister said he had spoken to the Governor over telephone and the latter had enquired about his opinion on the letter. “I am positive. I agree with the contents of the letter. Just as I am trying to sort out the matter through discussion I welcome his initiative too. I am ready for discussion to find a way out.” Asked whether he was ready for third party mediation, the chief minister evaded a direct response: “The Governor) is yet to get a response. I iterate I agree with the contents of the letter.” Left Front chairman Mr Biman Bose said even if the demand for return of land was accepted “for the sake of argument”, the issue had to be sorted out through talks. Mr D Bandyopadhyay, former principal secretary, land and land reforms department, clarified that the state's land acquisition manual prepared in 1991 has provisions that if acquired land was in excess of need, it could be returned.Earlier in the day, Miss Banerjee sent Leader of the Opposition Mr Partha Chatterjee to the Governor with whom he was closeted for about an hour. The Trinamul chief said it was explained to the Governor that the agitators would also be represented by lawyers and technical experts in any dialogue on the issue. The chief minister's “negative attitude” is responsible for the stalemate, the Governor was told. (END) Source : The Statesman