SINGUR/KOLKATA: West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee heaved a sigh of relief on Monday as Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee showed signs of relenting on the Singur issue. ‘‘I spoke to the governor on the phone today — I thanked him for the letter. I also told him that I am very positive and I fully support his contention (on seeking a solution to end the imbroglio). I told him that I am trying to make them (Trinamool) talk. I fully agree with the content of the letter that the governor sent to them,’’ Bhattacharjee said. The CM held talks with state Congress president and Union information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi. He said, ‘‘I spoke to Dasmunsi as well as (state Congress leader) Manas Bhuniya.’’ The climbdown began when agitators let traffic move on one flank of the Durgapur Expressway. On Sunday night, representatives of the Trinamool-dominated contractor syndicates wanted to meet Mamata but were dissuaded by the other party leaders surrounding her. They gave a piece of mind to local Trinamool leader Becharam Manna. Angry with the continuing blockade, they threatened to start work from Thursday if the Trinamool Congress chief refused to see reason. Around 1,500 men are involved in the 23 syndicates supplying materials at the factory compound, syndicate association vice-president Manas Ghosh said. Sensing the mood at the grassroots, Mamata settled for talks and sent Partha Chatterjee to the governor to convey the message. Though the meeting was unscheduled, Chatterjee spent nearly an hour at Raj Bhavan. This was in response to Gandhi’s letter to the Trinamool chief in which the governor talked of mediation by a neutral intermediary, neither from industry, nor from politics. Left Front chairman Biman Bose called upon the Trinamool chief for talks saying the government would protect the interests of the affected farmer. However, Mamata isn’t relenting on the government returning 400 acres of land within the factory compound to the farmers. ‘‘The government can shift the ancillaries to the large patch on the other side of the Durgapur Expressway and link it to the main plant via an underpass. The vacant land may be returned to the unwilling farmers. This is my solution,” Mamata said. Later, Chatterjee said, ‘‘we aren’t budging from our position. Land must be returned to farmers from whom it had been taken forcibly. About 500 acres are available opposite the Tata Motors factory site where the ancillary units can come up. It is not that the government has to accept whatever we say. The discussion should start on these lines.”
(END) Source : Times of India
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