Now, even CPI(M) gives up on Singur

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh might have expressed hope about the row in Singur over land purchase for Tata Motors’ small car plant being resolved but the CPI(M) brass does not see the stalled project being revived.

As Trinamool Congress’ Mamata Banerjee continues to struggle for the return of 300 acres to the farmers, Politburo member Prakash Karat said, “Whatever is to be done, is being done by the West Bengal government. But nothing is happening,” indicating that the state government had already taken all possible steps to keep the project in the state.

According to party sources, the situation is more or less beyond repair. “We can forcibly remove Banerjee’s agitators from Singur within a few hours. But it seems the Tatas have developed cold feet. After whatever has happened over the last few weeks, it is almost impossible to convince the Tatas to stay back in Bengal and restart the Nano project,” said a Central Committee leader of the party.

On the PM’s statement, Karat today said, “What can the prime minister do in this situation? Can he ask Mamata Banerjee to withdraw her agitation?”

Meanwhile, Tarun Das, chief mentor, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), said, “The situation in Singur is unfortunate and the solution to the present standoff lies with Mamata Banerjee who is representing the agitators and protestors.”

West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee would meet Tata Motors chairman Ratan Tata tomorrow to discuss the Singur issue.