The Hindu : Front Page : Mamata threatens to resume agitation

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Monday, Sep 22, 2008
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Mamata threatens to resume agitation

Marcus Dam

KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has threatened to resume her agitation on the Singur issue after seven days if the West Bengal government does not abide by an understanding it had with her associates on September 7 in the presence of Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi. The agreement was regarding the return of land, from within the Tata Motors project area and outside, to farmers who have not yet received compensation.

While Ms. Banerjee is demanding 300 acres from the site area, the State government has offered 70 acres without disturbing the project’s auto-cluster.

Ms. Banerjee will also appeal for the imposition of Article 355 and subsequently Article 356 of the Constitution for the dismissal of the government. These will be separately made to the Governor, the Prime Minister and the President.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee appealed to the Opposition parties to accept the package proposed by the government and call off their agitation.

“If there is any further delay [in doing so] this project will go out of West Bengal,” he feared.

The Chief Minister’s remarks, made in a statement, came a day after a meeting with the Governor, at which he said the door was open for further discussions on Ms. Banerjee’s response to the package. Farmers whose land has been acquired have been offered sustained economic rehabilitation with the offer of additional monetary compensation.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said at Behrampore in Murshidabad district that “if a group like the Tatas leaves West Bengal it will be unfortunate … a major setback to industrialisation in the State.”

He said it was for the State leaders of the Congress to make statements on specific issues such as Singur.

People betrayed, alleges Mamata

Singur a lesson, not a deterrent for investment

Discord over return of Singur land

Trinamool Congress proposal unacceptable to government

Singur is an exception: Buddhadeb

Tatas against disturbing arrangement

Respite in Singur

Singur stalemate ends

Some signs of breakthrough on Singur

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