CPI (M) criticised for Nandigram, still confident

New Delhi, Apr 2 (UNI) The CPI(M) today exuded confidence that it would be able to convince the critics of party's industry policy notwithstanding the Nandigram incident which claimed as many as 14 innocent lives and dented the party's image both in the country and outside.

The CPI(M) highest decision making body- the 80-member Central Committee-was of the view that the party would not only turn West Bengal into a leading national industrial hub but also in Asia because of its suitability for attracting foreign investment.

The Party CC Meet, on the third day of deliberations, preceded by a half-day session of the party Polit Bureau on March 31 at headquarters, reiterated that the state would have to be developed on strong industrial footing in consonance with the Centre's Look-East Policy and the people's mandate to develop and expand industry to generate jobs, higher economic growth and per capita income among other things.

The Left party, which faced severe criticism not only from the opposition but some of the Left intellectuals and the democrats as well and the Left constituents- the CPI, Forward Bloc and RSP- on the Nandigram incident, was also seized of other issues including UP polls, beginning April 7, the SEZ national policy and the recent Supreme Court judgement staying reservations for the OBCs in higher educational institutions and the price rise.

CPI(M) veteran and Polit Bureau member M K Pandhe told UNI that the party is confident that it would soon find a solution to the situation arisen from the Nandigram incident and convince the people about the desirability of the industrial development in the state.

" We will iron out differences with the Left partners," Mr Pandhe said.

Earlier, West Bengal Left Front Chairman Biman Bose told newspersons that the state was most suitable for investment and that the foreign investors are very much eager to invest in the state. " We have already apologised to the people for the Nandigram incident and are confident that we will be able to provide a world-class instrastructure for investment," Mr Bose said adding that the question is not of agriculture versus industry.

Referring to the consumption of items worth Rs 20,000 crore in the state produced by the indigenous and more often the overseas industry, the party leader said the items usually came from Japan, Singapore, Malaysia among others.

" Those items can be produced on our own soil," he emphasised adding that the adjoining states- the North east and Bihar would also benefit from the industrial development.

On the SC's judgement, Mr Pandhe said his party was opposed to it.

When asked specifically whether the party would ask the Centre to go in for a constitutional amendment or vacation of the apex court's order to stay 27.5 per cent reservation for the OBCs in IITs and IIMs, the CPI(M) veteran said his party favoured evolving of a common line prepared by all political parties.

The government has already fixed April 5 for a UPA and the Left meeting to find ways and means to defend the legislative rights of the people.

On discussions on the Presidential elections in July, Mr Pandhe said the final picture would emerge only after the outcome of the UP assembly polls. "Even the media has named Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee as the possible candidiate. But he( Chatterjee) does not know about it." Mr Pandhe stressed that one thing is certain that neither the Congress nor the BJP is in a position as of now to get its respective candidate elected to the office of the President." This is why we think, the UP poll results are critical and important.' Party another senior leader Nilotpal Basu said the SC's order was against the nine-member constitution bench which decided in favour of the recommendations of the Mandal Commission for 27 per cent reservations of jobs for the OBCs in employment.

UNI