KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has said her party had only suspended its indefinite dharna at Singur and not withdrawn it after an understanding was reached with the West Bengal government on return of land to unwilling farmers which was acquired for the Nano car project.

"We have not withdrawn our dharna, only suspended it. We will resume the dharna if the demands of the farmers as reflected in the agreement were not met with," Banerjee said at Singur late last night while hailing Sundays agreement as the victory of farmers.

Reacting to the Tata Motors statement that it would not resume construction work at the plant till there was clarity on the outcome of talks, Trinamool's key negotiator Partha Chatterjee said it was in the interest of the car project and farmers that the investor should refrain from making any statement which dampens the spirit under which negotiations have been concluded yesterday.

"It would be unfortunate if the Tatas dishonour the government and the Opposition and also the expectation of the people by not respecting the initiative taken by the Governor of West Bengal and the agreement that was signed," he said.

He said: "The agreement between the state government and Opposition with regard to the small car plant and return of land to unwilling farmers was signed by Industry Minister Nirupam Sen and myself in the presence of the Governor of West Bengal, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee, Panchayat Minister Surya Kanta Mishra and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee."

In a statement earlier on Monday, Tata Motors Ltd said it is distressed at the limited clarity of the outcome of the discussion between the government of West Bengal and representatives of the agitators in Singur.

Reading out a statement after the meeting, the Governor had said on Sunday night that the state government had taken the decision to respond to demands of those farmers who had not received compensation.

It would release as much land as feasible on the Tata premises and the remaining acreage in adjacent areas as early as possible, he said.
Source : DNA