Left Front involves all partners in Nandigram peace process

Kolkata, May 7 (UNI) In a bid to expedite the peace process in Nandigram, the ruling Left Front today asked all the partners to initiate talks with the opposition parties for restoration of normalcy in the strife-torn area.

Making it no longer an issue for the CPI(M), Front Chairman Biman Basu asked the smaller partners, who had been a bitter critic of the way the problem was being dealt with, to get involved in the task for ending the political standoff.

A Left Front meeting, held at the CPI(M) State Headquarters, was also unanimous that the East Midnapore district Left Front would take initiative for peace talks, eluding so far because of the refusal of the Trinamool Congress-led opposition to participate in all-party meetings.

Stressing that restoration of peace in Nandigram was of prime importance, Mr Basu told reporters after the meeting that the prevailing situation was hindering supply of essential commodities, road repairing, development work and free movement of the people.

"The Left Front partners will initiate both political and social process in Nandigram. If necessary, they will hold talks with the opposition parties either individually or jointly," he said.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and veteran leader Jyoti Basu were among others present at the meeting.

As clashes between rival political parties continued to perpetuate unrest in Nandigram, Mr Basu reportedly asked the chief minister why CPI(M) workers, camping in adjoining Khejuri, were getting involved in the violence.

Mr Bhattacharjee reportedly assured the nonagenarian leader that the government had taken measures to ensure that CPI(M) men refrained from retaliating against the Trinamool Congress supporters.

The chief minister informed Mr Basu that Panchayat Minister Surjyakanta Mishra had been asked to control partymen at Khejuri to defuse tension in the area.

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