Buddha defends 'recapture' of Nandigram, announces relief

Sticking to his defence of the "recapture" of Nandigram, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today said his government had allotted Rs 1 crore for relief and resettlement of those returning home.

"I am saying today what I have said yesterday. Those who returned home merely followed the tactics of the Opposition," an unfazed chief minister told a press conference when asked whether he stuck to his view that the Opposition parties had been paid back in their own coin.

Supporting CPI(M) state secretary Biman Bose's statement that there was a "new dawn" in Nandigram following the "recapture", Bhattacharjee said the government had allocated Rs 1 crore from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for relief and rehabilitation.

"The fund is being sent to the (East Midnapore) district magistrate. From this, Rs 1,000 would be given to the returning families for reconstruction of fully-damaged houses and Rs 500 for partially damaged ones. Each family would be given another Rs 1,000 for buying utensils," he said, adding that the funds would be given to the affected families irrespective of their political affiliation.

Asked about reports that CPI(M) supporters were touring the villages of Nandigram on motorcycles and intimidating supporters of Opposition parties, the CM said such action would not be tolerated.

"We are keeping watch. No act of violence or violent body language would be tolerated," he said.

On criticism that he sounded more like a CPI(M) leader than a chief minister, Bhattacharjee said that while he was the CM as per the Constitution, he also considered himself a CPI(M) leader. "I cannot deny my political character."