Mamata not to attend all-party meet on Tata project

Kolkata, Oct 3 (UNI) Rejecting the appeal of the West Bengal Government, the opposition Trinamool Congress today stuck to its decision to boycott tomorrow's all-party meeting and go ahead with the statewide bandh on October nine in protest against acquisition of agricultural land for the Tata Motors' small car factory at Singur.

Making the party's stand clear on the issue, party chief Mamata Banerjee also demanded a CBI inquiry into the circumstances that led the state government to acquire fertile land instead of alloting plots for the project elsewhere.

" Our decision is final. We are not going to take part in tomorrow's all-party meeting, convened by the Chief Minister. We shall not allow industrialisation at the cost of agriculture," Earlier, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had appealed to the Trinamool to participate in the proposed meeting, called to clarify the Government's plans for setting up of industries and protecting the interest of farmers.

Left Front Committee Chairman Biman Basu had also appealed to the Trinamool to withdraw its bandh call stating that it would hamper movement of relief materials for the flood affected people.

However, refusing to relent, Ms Banerjee said the bandh decision would remain unchanged.

With the ruling Left Front already raising an accusing finger at the opposition for hindering industrialisation process, the Congress, which had extended support to Ms Banerjee on the Singur issue, made a volte face saying the party was against acquisition of multi-crop land and not against the Tatas' project.

UNI KDG KK KLC1740