Ratan Tata asks Bengal to choose between Buddha and Mamata

Kolkata, Oct 17 (UNI) Barely a fortnight after he announced Nano rollback from West Bengal, Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata has called upon the people of the state to decide their future by choosing between the policies of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee.

Clarifying in a signed open letter that the decision to quit Singur was taken after 'much of thoughts', Mr.Tata held the Trinamool Congress entirely responsible for the 'violent situation' that forced him to pullout the project 'with a deep sense of sorrow'.

Published in a vernacular daily, Mr.Tata's letter came as a bombshell whipping up a bitter reaction from the Trinamool Congress while evoking welcome remarks from the CPI(M).

''The people of West Bengal, especially the youth, have to spell out their hopes and aspirations. Do they support Mr.Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's efforts to build a progressive state with modern infrastructure and advanced industry or they want a poisonous political atmosphere that seeks to ruin the state with violence, terror and unnecessary opposition,'' he asked.

''The future of West Bengal is in the hands of the state's people. They have to decide whether they would be mute spectators to the development in other states which was to take place in West Bengal, or they will come forward vociferously in support of the progressive state Government to ensure participation in the country's future development,'' he said.

Stating that he was obliged to clarify his decision to relocate the Nano project, Mr.Tata mentioned in details the developments that took place since the acquisition of land at Singur which was given to Tata Motors on lease. He observed that though the land was 'lawfully acquired' against 'appropriate compensation' and was given to Tata Motors on lease by the West Bengal Government, the Trinamool Congress held it to be illegal and wanted a part of the project area to be returned.

''Unfortunately, the motivated movement that the Trinamool Congress and its associate outfits started under the leadership of Ms.Mamata Banerjee and with the support of some vested interest quarters, severely hamstrung the work for setting up the factory.

They continued the movement even after the High Court ruled the land acquisition to be totally valid,'' he said.

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