CPI(M) observes Nandigram Day in West Bengal

Kolkata, Jan 27: Facing a combined opposition over the issue of land acquisition, the CPI(M) observed 'Nandigram Day' throughout West Bengal today, launching a political campaign in favour of industry and countering allegations.

Holding street meetings and taking out processions, the party made a scathing attack on the ''right-ultra Left nexus hindering development'' and asserted that there was no going back on industrialisation.

The day's programme was part of the 45-day campaign the party launched on January 15 to turn the heat on the vociferous Opposition, levelling charge of atrocity and forcible eviction, and mobilise people's support to the process of industrialisation.

''The right reactionary and ultra Left forces have joined hands to create an anarchy and stall the process of industrialisation in the state. They are carrying out a misinformation campaign against the Government and the party. But industry shall come up in Singur and elsewhere in the state,'' CPI(M) state committee secretary Biman Basu said while addressing a meeting in the city.

Party's central committee member Benoy Konar led the campaign at Mahishadal and Tamluk near Nandigram in East Midnapore district, while similar programmes were held in all other districts and towns.

While the Opposition held the CPI(M) responsible for the Nandigram mayhem that occurred early last month over a reported move to acquire farm land for a SEZ, the CPI(M) made a fund raising drive during the day for the families of the party comrades, who fell victims to the violence.

In a crucial meeting to tide over the hostile situation, the party and the Government were facing in pushing through the industrialisation move, the CPI(M) State Committee decided on January 24 to have patience as its buzz word and continue an intense pro-industry campaign at the grassroot to defend its stand.

With farmers being the largest votebank, the party also decided to hold a big rally of its peasants' wing in the city in March in support of industry.

To cope with the turbulence of transition, it had been decided that the party will reach the people giving statistics and facts about the present state of agriculture in West Bengal, that stands for a meagre return to the farmer in the wake of dwindling plot holding and spiralling input costs, vis-a-vis the job opportunities and wealth to be created by industry.

With a large number of farmers belonging to the minority community, the party had also expressed apprehension over the ''attempts of the vested interest groups to exploit the religious identity of tillers'' and decided to work out a plan to overcome this problem.

The campaign will continue all over the state till February 28 and extend it to March 15 in East Midnapore district with a special emphasis on Nandigram and Halida.

UNI