Bhattacharjee confident of car plant despite Trinamool protest

Kolkata, Nov 30 (UNI) Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee described as ''sheer act of vandalism'' today's violence by the Trinamool Congress Legislators in the House and exuded confidence that the incident would have no bearing on the prospect of Tata Motors' small car unit in Singur.

Speaking to newsmen at his Assembly chamber after the hour-long drama, Mr Bhattacharjee also urged the people to strongly condemn the violence.

He, however, made no issues about his government's determination to go ahead with its industrialisation programme and said more than 937 acre of acquired land would be handed over to Tata Motors within the next few days ''as per schedule''.

Mr Bhattacharjee clarified that the administration had no option but to impose the prohibitory orders under Section 144 CRPC in and around Singur from this morning to avoid any eventuality keeping in view today's simultaneous public meetings by both Trinamool Congress and the Krishak Sabha, the farmers'wing of the CPI(M).

He said when Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee in spite of the prohibition wanted to enter Singur, she was prevented by the lady wing of the district police and taken back to Kolkata.

The Chief Minister denied that she was manhandled and arrested as rumoured by the Opposition.

He made it clear that no more public gathering or meeting would be allowed at Singur till the entire situation completely normalised, and even the ruling party supporters also would not be allowed to hold meeting or rally to ensure smooth handing over of land to Tata Motors.

Mr Bhattacharjee said today's violence and destruction of House property by the Trinamool Congress Legislators smacked of the outburst of their political frustration and true reflection of their isolation in Parliamentary democracy.

The people must be aware of their irresponsible behaviour and take decision accordingly about their political future, he stated.

The Chief Minister dubbed as ''very unfortunate'' the incident and hoped it would not send any wrong signal to Tata Motors Chairman Ratan Tata and would have no impact on the prospect of his car plant in the state.

MORE UNI ABA SJC PDM RS1801