PM sends emissary to fasting Mamata

Kolkata, Dec 24 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today sent an emissary to Trinamool Congress Supremo Mamata Banerjee, who is fasting for the last 21 days to protest the acquisition of land for the Tata's small car project in Singur.

Pradesh Congress Committee Working President Pradeep Bhattacharya gave this information to newsmen at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here, after Dr Singh left for Delhi.

He said that Dr Singh expressed concern about the Trinamool supremo's health and hoped that his efforts to make Ms Banerjee end the fast would succeed.

However, Mr Bhattacharya refused to name the emissary.

Earlier, he and Congress leader Sudip Bandhopadhaya apprised the Prime Minister of the situation regarding the Singur land row and urged him to intervene to resolve the standoff between Ms Banerjee and the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee-led state government.

They said Dr Singh had told them that though industry was key to development, it should not be at the cost of poor people depending on agriculture.

''Industry is needed but it should also be ensured that poor people having either agriculture land or banking on it are not displaced,'' Mr Bhattacharya cited Dr Singh as saying.

''Dr Singh hoped a solution to the Singur issue would be found soon,'' he added.

UNI XC SJC VD PM1754