Date:23/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/23/stories/2008082360831200.htm

National

I am optimistic: CM

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: “I think the people of the State want this project to come up and I am optimistic,” Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, West Bengal Chief Minister, said here on Friday on the future of the Tata Motors project at Singur.

Mr. Bhattacharjee declined to comment on a remark made earlier in the day by Rata Tata, chairman, Tata Group, that Tata Motors may have to move from Singur if the violence persists. “I have not seen the television and do not know what he has said. It is not good, wise, to comment [now],” he said.

Mr. Bhattacharjee appealed to the Opposition parties and groups planning an indefinite agitation outside the Singur project from August 24 to ensure that the agitation was peaceful.

On Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee threat that the agitation would continue till the 400 acres “forcibly acquired” for the project was returned to their owners, the Chief Minister said: “They definitely have a right to call an agitation. The State government has informed them that it has no problems if the agitation is carried out in a democratic manner.”

Those leading the agitation had earlier given the State Government an assurance that the agitation would be peaceful. “Let us hope they keep their word,” Mr Bhattacharjee said.