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Journalism of Courage
In his battle against party hardliners over his reforms agenda, West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee found unexpected support from Singapore8217;s former PM Goh Chok Tong, who asked him to send Left MPs to his island republic to see how mindsets can be changed.
Addressing the CII Partnership Summit today, Goh, now a senior minister in Singapore, criticised the Left for sticking to its old way of thinking. He said Left-led West Bengal was not looking at the road ahead.
In a deviation from his speech, Goh said: 8216;8216;I invited the CM to send a delegation of MPs to Singapore to try and see how the change of mindset has come about there. The mindset change has to get applied in Bengal. But the CM told me that he has to review this with some of his MPs.8217;8217;
The CM was surprised by Goh8217;s remark. When asked to comment on Goh8217;s invite, Buddhadeb later said: 8216;8216;No8217;8217;.
Goh8217;s comments followed the CM8217;s speech, in which the latter said he was betting on Singapore to attract FDI to the state. Talks are on with Singapore8217;s Temasek Holdings, Ascendas and Parkway group. Jurong Township has decided to set up a logistics hub at Howrah, he said .
8216;8216;I met seven ministers when I visited Singapore and had fruitful discussion with them. We are now following up what we initiated in Singapore then,8217;8217; said Buddhadeb.
