NDA delegation to visit Nandigram

Kolkata, Nov 13: A nine-member National Democratic Alliance (NDA) delegation, led by Leader of Opposition L K Advani will visit Nandigram today to take stock of the situation in the wake of the continuing violence over acquisition of land for an industrial zone.

Besides visiting village in East Midnapore district, the delegation will also visit hospitals to meet the injured people.

The delegation includes Sushma Swaraj and S. S. Ahluwalia (Bharatiya Janata Party), Sharad Yadav (Janta Dal-United), B K Tripathi (Biju Janata Dal), Anant Geethe (Shiv Sena), Sukhbir Singh Badal (Akali Dal) and Chandan Mitra and Sharad Joshi (both MPs).

Party President Rajnath Singh on Monday demanded the dismissal of the West Bengal Government. He also criticised the UPA Government at the Centre for not initiating any steps to restore peace in Nandigram.

"In West Bengal, there is a complete furore of constitutional machinery. The State Government has abdicated its responsibility to protect the constitution and the people of Nandigram. If dispute like land acquisition for industrial purposes are to be decided by the private armies of CPI(M), this will send a very dangerous signal not only in West Bengal but throughout the country," Singh said.

The West Bengal Government had planned to set up a special export zone
(SEZ) for chemical industries in Nandigram but had to abort the project as villagers refused to give their farmland for the project.

Singh had said that the "Marxian way" of establishing a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) through unprecedented violence was unacceptable for any civilised society.

The party is likely to raise the issues during the winter session of Parliament that starts on November 15.

ANI
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