The Hindu : Front Page : Basu, Mamata hold cordial talks

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Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007
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Basu, Mamata hold cordial talks

Special Correspondent

Discuss ways to restore peace and end stalemate over setting up Tata project

BID TO BREAK DEADLOCK: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee meets veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu at his residence in Kolkata on Monday. — Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

KOLKATA: Veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu on Monday had a meeting with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee here to discuss ways of restoring peace at Nandigram and ending the stalemate over the setting up of a Tata Motors car manufacturing project at Singur.

"I think her [Ms. Banerjee's] attitude is good... Her speeches are fiery but her demands should be looked into," Mr. Basu said. "She says she wants peace at Nandigram and I believe she will not create any obstacles."

Ms. Banerjee said the Marxist leader had assured her that he would take up all outstanding issues with the State Government. "He will let me know [the outcome] after a few days and if he calls me again [for a meeting] I have no objection... He is a very senior leader and there is nothing more important than his wanting a solution [to these issues] himself."

The meeting, a sudden and major political development, was held at Mr. Basu's residence at Salt Lake. The former Chief Minister invited Ms. Banerjee on the phone.

Mr. Basu expressed his thanks to the Trinamool chief "for having agreed to come [to the meeting] at the first request," while Ms. Banerjee said she was "grateful to such a senior leader of not only West Bengal but of India for wanting to know directly from her about the situation at Nandigram and Singur."

At a news conference, both agreed that talks would have to continue on both issues though Ms. Banerjee's demands on the Tata Motors plant would require discussions with the Government and the company. "Despite my failing health, I too will try to be there [at the meetings] if necessary," Mr. Basu said. On Ms. Banerjee's contentions on the Singur issue — she has been demanding that land taken from farmers without their consent be returned — Mr. Basu said the matter "would have to be taken up with the State Government and Tata Motors. She has said that she is not against the project but wants the land of these farmers to be returned."

Ms. Banerjee said: "He heard me out on the atrocities being committed at Nandigram where the CBI should continue its inquiry. I also told him that as far as the Singur project is concerned we are not against industry there but demand that it be set up on alternative land and plots be returned to unwilling farmers."

PTI reports:

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee declined to comment on the discussions between Mr. Basu and Ms. Banerjee.

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