My party has not disrupted traffic on NH 2: Mamata

{image-Mamata Banerjee_05092008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Singur, Sep 5: Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday, Sep 5 claimed that her party supporters had not blocked National Highway 2 and said the accusations against her party workers of disrupting traffic movement on the Durgapur Expressway were 'baseless.'

''It is the police administration's responsibility to ensure smooth traffic flow on the road. We have not stopped any vehicles from plying on the road,'' Ms Banerjee retorted. Addressing mediapersons here shortly after West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi deferred the crucial meeting between the state government and Opposition for resolving the Nano tangle, to be held at the Raj Bhawan at Kolkata on Friday, Sep 5 Ms Banerjee said she appreciated the Governor's initiative to mediate talks.

''My party will be extending full cooperation so that an amicable settlement, conducive to the development of both agriculture and industries, can be reached. A five-member delegation, led by Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Partha Chatterjee, is already in Kolkata for the meeting,'' she informed.

Reacting to the Governor's appeal to the Opposition to remove the 13-day blockade on NH 2 since the launch of the indefinite dharna on August 24, Ms Banerjee said, ''One of the flanks of the highway has been opened for the free flow of traffic.

''Following the Governor's appeal, we have decided not to hold any political programmes at the dharna site on Friday, Sep 5. Only cultural programmes will be held so that less number of people turn up in front of the platforms. However, we cannot stop the crowds from gathering and lending their support to the popular movement for return of the 400 acres land to the unwilling farmers,'' she added.

Meanwhile, Singur police station Officer In-charge Priyabrata Bakshi said one of the flanks of NH 2 remained open and security personnel were supervising the movement of vehicles along that lane.

UNI