Explain Singur plant hold up, Buddha asks oppn

Expressing surprise over the spurt of violence at Singur, West Bengal chief minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee today said a handful of people were creating trouble against the interests of the majority.

"While the proposed car project will offer employment to 4,000 people and galvanise the economy of the area, a small number of people are bent on opposing it. Even today a group of 100 people brickbatted the police and fomented trouble," Bhattacharjee told a public meeting here.

Announcing that the people whose land had been taken away by the Tata Motors small car project site would be given job at the plant, the CM told the opposition "explain to me why are you against it. Won't an automobile hub change the economy of the area and change the lives of local people?"

On the issue of the chemical hub, he said if such a facility could not be set up in the state, it would only harm Bengal's interest.

"Let me reiterate that there will be no chemical hub in Nandigram since the people don't want it to be there. But we need to have a chemical hub in the state, nevertheless. We cannot let the opportunity go away," the CM said.

There will be discussion on the issue and "we will put across our views," the CM said apparently hinting at the proposed all party meeting later this week.