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Manmohan is failing in all sectors, says Buddhadeb

Special Correspondent

The way he is “leading the government is unfortunate”

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee

KOLKATA: Without wishing to “denigrate” the Prime Minister, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Friday said the manner in which he was “leading the government is unfortunate.”

“He [Manmohan Singh] is failing to perform in all sectors … The Centre is failing to perform on the economic front,” Mr. Bhattacharjee said here.

The Centre “failed to control inflation and the rise in prices of essential commodities. So, it is facing the music in all States,” he said referring to the recent Assembly elections in different parts.

“This is very alarming as the BJP is gaining the advantage,” he said. “We cannot always endorse the policies of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government, and have been against the BJP-led alliance. So we are trying to form a third alternative,” he added.

“But it is unfortunate that the Congress is supporting the BJP here,” the Chief Minister said in the context of the coming panchayat elections in West Bengal.

Industrialisation

Whatever the poll outcome, there would be no going back on the drive towards industrialisation. “There is no alternative to industrialisation,” he added.

“What is happening in Nandigram today is the legacy of the bitterness carried over since last year,” Mr. Bhattacharjee said. “But things have now radically changed and there will be peaceful elections there.”

Over the past few months, there had been a gradual return of peace and trust among residents, following administrative measures adopted by authorities.

In the past week, minor discords led to rumours, forcing people out of their homes, but they had since got back. “These are remnants of the past legacy,” the Chief Minister said.

“Enough is enough is how the local leadership of the different parties in the area views the situation today.”

On the concern raised by a section of the city’s intellectuals over the situation at Nandigram, Mr. Bhattacharjee said, “Everyone has a right to express his own views. But an overwhelming majority of cultural personalities are supporting the government’s policies on the issue.”

His government was keen on acquiring land for industry without jeopardising the State’s food security. “We have learnt our lesson from Nandigram and our move there was hasty and wrong. The State government will be working on compensation and rehabilitation packages whenever there is need for acquisition of farmland for industrial purposes that would be confined to mono-cropped areas, with the concurrence of the local people.”

Asked whether the coming elections would be a referendum on Nandigram, Mr. Bhattacharjee said Nandigram and Singur were “exceptional” cases, which should not be misconstrued as being a general reflection on the industrial policy of the State.”

Call to Opposition

Mr. Bhattacharjee asked how the Opposition’s refusal to sit for discussions on outstanding issues could be justified. “I am repeating my request to them to come and sit for discussions with the government on the issue of acquisition of land for industry.”

On Maoist presence in certain districts, the Chief Minister said, “Jharkhand is being used as their rear front. If we could go into joint operations with the Jharkhand government and the Centre, the number of such incidents could come down.”

The Maoist problems were confined to a few villages in the districts of Purulia, Bankura and Paschim Medinipur that are close to the Jharkhand border, he said.

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