CM Buddhadeb sticks to pro-investment stand

Kolkata, May 14: Reiterating his pro-investment stand, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said, "The communists are realists and not fools, and generally welcome foreign investment. "But he also made it clear that they were fully opposed to privatisation of Navaratnas, considered to be the backbone of economy."

"We generally welcome foreign investment necessary for creating job opportunities for millions of talented people, churned out of various educational institutions in the country. We accept the need for modern market mechanism for agricultural products. But we are opposing privatisation of Navratnas, the backbone of economy," Mr Bhattacharjee told a private news channel late last night.

The Chief Minister said his party has a definite policy making process and were open to debates on issues concerning the welfare of the people of the country.

"We have a definite policy making process. We are a living party.

We are open to any debate for the wellbeing of the people of the country," he averred.

Describing himself as a 'practical Communist,' he said a balanced view towards rural and urban development was necessary for overall development of the country.

UNI