Bhattacharjee doubts Opposition's industrial mindset

Kolkata, Jan 7 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today exhorted the people to reject the bandh called by the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and the SUCI tomorrow and expressed doubts on their 'pro-industrial' mindset.

Mr Bhattacharjee, while addressing a gathering at the Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta in Joka, said, ''We have no future without industrialisation. Opposition to industry is unnecessary. It seems that the Opposition is not interested in industrialisation.'' ''I am willing to discuss anything with them...anything under the sun ranging from agriculture, industry to conversion of land,'' he said.

He made it clear that agricultural land had to be touched if industrial revolution was to be brought in West Bengal.

''At present, 78 per cent of the land is under agriculture. But we have to look into the matters of land fragmentation also.

Agriculture alone will not solve the problems in the state. There are so many young educated who need jobs and these cannot come without industry,'' he added.

However, care was taken so that the least possible agro-land was used for industrial purpose.

He said industrialisation was a must in order to compete with other countries but it did not mean sacrificing agricultural land.

''West Bengal is in a state of transition from being only an agricultural state to an industrial state. There will be difference in ideas and the contradictions need to be faced boldly and solved through negotiations,'' he said.

Later addressing a rally of the DYFI here today, Mr Bhattacharjee said, ''We are all worried at what is happening at Nandigram. We are looking into it.'' ''We had made no such proposal about acquiring land in Nandigram.

It is a result of rumours,'' he said.

''The situation has come to this state because of a whispering campaign by some parties spreading rumours about the acquisition of land for SEZ in Nandigram,'' he said.

He was also concerned about the increasing tension in East Midnapur.

''I am sure that the general people will discard the bandh.

Nobody wants a bandh. It's not about getting political mileage, it's about the well being of the state,'' Mr Bhattacharjee said.

''A bandh cannot benefit anyone. Even the farmers in Singur were affected by the bandh call. It is anti-progress. I am once again inviting the opposition parties to sit across the table and discuss the issues,'' he said.

Mr Bhattacharjee said agriculture was standing on a 'solid foundation' in West Bengal and newer means were sought to further strengthen the agro-sector.

''Howeer, no state can progress without industrialisation and a new and better West Bengal can only emerge through a fully industrialised state,'' he said.

The West Bengal Pradesh Congress today called for a 24-hour Bangla bandh tomorrow, protesting against last night's violence at Nandigram in West Midnapore district in connection with the alleged rumours regarding the government's forceful acquisition of farmland.

All India Trinamool Congress in the name of Krishi Jami Raskya Committee (committee for protection of farm land) had also called a 12-hour statewide bandh from 0600 hours tomorrow protesting against the alleged police atrocities on innocent farmers in Nandigram yesterday night violating the government's assurance for a peaceful resolution of the situation.

WBPCC General Secretary Manas Bhuinyan and Leader of the Opposition and senior TMC leader Partho Chatterjee announced their respective party decisions for tomorrow's 'Bangla Bandh' in separate news conferences here today.

UNI