Singur talks remain inconclusive

KOLTATA: As predicted by Trinamool Congress chief, Mamata Banerjee, Wednesday’s crucial meeting to resolve the ongoing Singur impasse turned out to be inconclusive, with the party sticking to its earlier demand of returning 400 acres to unwilling farmers there.

The two-hour meeting was attended by state chief minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, industry and commerce minister Nirupam Sen and Trinamool MLA and state leader of Opposition, Partho Chattopadhyay.

Immediately after the meeting, Chattopadhyay told reporters he conveyed to Bhattacharjee and Sen that the party cannot retract from its original demand of returning 400 acres of land to the unwilling farmers. “We have clearly told them Trinamool has no objection if Tata Motors sets up the mother plant over 600 acres of land and that ancillary units can be set up elsewhere in Singur itself. We have also demanded the state government immediately make public the agreement between them and Tata Motors regarding the Singur factory,” Chattopadhyay said.

He also said the Trinamool will go ahead with its agitation at Singur from August 24.
Sen said the government explained to Trinamool representatives the technical and legal difficulties in returning the land. “They said they will get back to us with their documents,” Sen said.
r_sumanta@dnaindia.net