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Monday, Aug 29, 2005

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CPI (M) to debate on Buddhadeb's trip

Will be discussed at Polit Bureau: Basu

KOLKATA: In the backdrop of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee's high-profile visit to Indonesia and Singapore to woo foreign investors to the State, the CPI(M) would discuss the issue threadbare at its Polit Bureau and Central Committee meetings in Delhi early next month.

"The recent trip of Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee to Singapore and Indonesia would be discussed at the Polit Bureau meeting next month," veteran CPI (M) leader Jyoti Basu told reporters on Sunday.

CPI (M) sources here said the Polit Bureau would meet on September 1 and 2 and the central committee on September 3.

On a visit to Indonesia, Mr. Bhattacherjee had said his party was trying to change the "mindset" of workers as the State needed FDI and infrastructure.

``Clear policy''

Mr. Bhattacharjee told NDTV that the former U.S. Ambassador to India, Frank Wisner, met him and discussed investment in the State. Asked if he felt it contradictory to have U.S. investment to a Marxist-ruled State, Mr. Bhattacharjee asked: " If U.S. can do business in China, why not in West Bengal?"

To a question if he would find it difficult to convince his party about his stand, the Chief Minister said "no. Our policy in this regard is very clear. We want FDI, particularly in greenfield areas and we need technology and also to get more job opportunities for our young people."

"There is no bar on going to any one country. But we have to protect our policy," he said — PTI

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