Kolkata: As hopes of Singur residents of a prosperous life die a slow death with the Tata Motors pullout almost certain, Trinamool Congress is fast losing the advantage it recently gained in the area winning the panchayat polls.

While Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee is still adamant on the return of 300 acres from the Nano project area, her trusted lieutenants in Singur are weighing options to protect themselves from the possible massive public backlash once the pullout becomes official.

In fact, many senior leaders are planning to quit the party. Highly-placed sources told DNA both the local Trinamool MLA, Rabindranath Bhattacharjee, and Save Singur Farmland Committee convener Bencharam Manna are extremely upset over the Naxal influence that has prompted Mamata to stick to her stand.

"Both have told us they are not ready to face the wrath of the public and pay for the Naxalite-influenced misjudgment. While the land-for-land demand can still be justified, the demand for 300 acres from the project area is too aggressive a posture, especially when the public sentiment throughout the state is against it," a senior Trinamool MLA said.

He also revealed that when some party leaders in Singur raised the apprehension at a meeting, Mamata snubbed them. "Naxalites do not have any democratic compulsion, but we have it. We cannot take certain steps which they can," the party MLA said.
Political analysts too are of the opinion that Mamata has fallen victim to the destructive politics certain Naxalite factions are known to practice.

"If you look at Mamatas political career you will see this inherent spirit of destructive politics ruling her. The greatest example being, her quitting the post of railway minister in the NDA regime. She is following the same path in Singur as well. Only time will tell whether this movement translates into gains at the hustings, but one thing is certain, through this movement Mamata is distancing herself from the educated youth," a senior analyst said.
Source : DNA