Buddhadev tells Tata not to leave West Bengal

New Delhi, Sept 26 : In a last-ditch effort to salvage the Nano car project, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has written to Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata urging him not to shift the project from Singur.

Bhattacharjee in his letter to Ratan Tata said no more disruptions would occur. "We assure you of police protection," he said.

The West Bengal Government is awaiting Ratan Tata's response.

West Bengal Industries Minister Nirupam Sen said, "The state government is trying its best to retain the Nano project in Singur."

The letter was sent after Thursday's decision at the state cabinet meeting to appeal to both the Tatas to implement the project here as well as to the opposition to cooperate in the interest of the state.

Trinamool Congress (TMC), on Thursday, said it was willing for further talks on Singur issue if the West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi takes an initiative.

Trinamool Congress did not ask the Tata Motors to leave Singur, said the TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, and added, "Let both agriculture and industry smile."

She said the state government and Communist Party of India (Marxist) were claiming that the September 7 agreement was a 'declaration' and not an accord. "They are cheating us. They have also insulted the Governor by violating the agreement", she charged.

While reading out the copy of 'agreement', Banerjee said that the TMC was ready for a 'land-based solution'.

Meanwhile truckloads of material have started rolling out of the Singur Nano factory, a sign that Tata Motors is on an exit route from West Bengal.

However, there has been no formal communication from the company so far.

Trouble began after the West Bengal government acquired 1000 acres of farmland for the Tata Motors 'Nano' small car plant at Singur last year.

The government offered compensation, which some farmers rejected and the state's main opposition TMC has been demanding that at least 400 acres be returned to farmers.

The government says it is in favour of a land-based solution for farmers but was against disturbing the Tata Motors plant site.

ANI