Peace talks continue in Nandigram: Jyoti Basu

Kolkata, Jul 27: Amid reports of fresh violence in Nandigram, veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu today said efforts were on to resume peace talks in the embattled area.

" The Chief Minister said the peace process resumed today. No longer can we allow Nandigram to remain a free zone," he told reporters after attending the CPI(M) state Secretariat meeting.

The secretariat, that discussed in detail the renewed violence in Nandigram, was attended among others, by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Left Front Chairman Biman Basu.

Commenting on the outcome of Haldia civic polls, in which the Left Front retained power, the nonagenarian CPI(M) leader said it was a significant victory for the ruling coalition in the face of an adverse propaganda on Nandigram, but an introspection was needed to assess why some people had voted for the combined opposition that won seven seats.

" The Congress, Trinamool Congress and the BJP are of the same flock. There was no ideology, morality or programme in the opportunist alliance they forged in the election. But still some people have voted for them. We have to find out why," he said.

UNI