Kolkata waits for Tata, Singur for solution

KOLKATA: Kolkata is all set for a battle of nerves on Friday. With Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata expected to arrive in the city for the annual general meeting of Tata Tea, there is speculation his visit may see initiatives to resolve the impasse on the Nano plant at Singur.

Accordingly, cheerleaders of both CPI(M) and Trinamool Congress are gearing up to field arguments and alternatives that might yield a concrete solution.

Although neither the state government nor the Trinamool have confirmed any meeting with Tata, political circles here are expecting a surprise turn of events. State industry and commerce minister Nirupam Sen said here on Thursday that no meeting with Ratan
Tata has been planned. But analysts do not rule out the possibility of a last-minute meeting between Tata and chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

In view of Mamata’s recent softened stand towards the Tatas, when she and said it is not the company but the government which is responsible for the Singur tension, analysts say there could be two possibilities. “The first is that Ratan Tata might explain the details of Ravi Kant’s letter to Mamata, which is yet to be made public. Second scenario is that Tata might lay the foundation for any future meeting between Mamata and top Tata Motors’ officials in this regard,” a senior political analyst said.

However, till Thursday, Mamata officially maintained her stand of going ahead with the Singur agitation from August 24.
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