Singur issue: Mamata sticks to hunger strike

Kolkata, Dec 9: In a battle of attrition with the Government, Ms Mamata Banerjee called for intensifying her movement on the Singur issue, while the ruling Left Front again appealed to the Trinamool leader to withdraw her indefinite hunger strike entering the sixth day today.

Declaring that she would continue fasting, Ms Banerjee announced agenda for a day-long mass hunger strike tomorrow and a mass assembly on Monday next calling for participation by any individual or organisation opposed to acquisition of farm land at Singur for setting up of the proposed small car factory of Tata Motors at Singur in Hooghly district.

"We need to broadbase the movement by mobilising the people's opinion against the Government's policy and its adamant attitude," she said.

Observing that Ms Banerjee should adopt any other form of movement, Left Front Chairman Biman Basu appealed to her to withdraw the hunger strike and hold talks with the Government on the contentious issue.

"She should withdraw the hunger strike that is impairing her health and enter into dialogues with the Government. We are not worried or scared over movement...she can take up any other form of movement, " he said after an emergency meeting of the Front.

Mr Basu observed that the situation over the stand-off on the Singur issue was "back to square" after the Trinamool leader imposed condition for talks with Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and continued her hunger strike.

Yesterday, the Chief Minister wrote to Ms Banerjee, requesting her to withdraw the hunger strike and come to negotiations. In reply the Trinamool chief said she was ready for talks if the Government stopped acquisition of agricultural land at Singur and lifted the prohibitory orders in the area.

UNI