We lost battle, not war: Buddhadeb

Kolkata, Oct 5: West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Sunday, Oct 5 asserted that the 'war is not lost,' although he conceded defeat in the 'battle' for ushering in industrialisation following the Tata Motors' decision to pull out the small car project from Singur.

After laying the foundation stone for Orion Techcity here, Mr Bhattacharjee said, "Just before the festive season, the Tatas have decided to withdraw the Nano project. However, Ratan Tata has assured me that they will not be leaving West Bengal forever. They will invest in the future. But a serious message has gone all over India from West Bengal. Why our Opposition is failing to understand the importance of industrialisation?'' Terming the agricultural scenario in West Bengal to be the best in the country, Mr Bhattacharjee felt that the state's economy would not develop if it depended only on farming.

''We must go for industrialisation, particularly for the young generation passing out from universities and colleges. They want industry, they want business. But unfortunately they have seen a very irresponsible Opposition. It has created serious problems,'' the Chief Minister rued.

''But I believe that one battle is lost but the war isn't. We must fight for progress. We must go ahead because I believe that the right-thinking people form the majority in the state,'' he stated.

UNI