In a statement that will surely see Marxist hardliners in Delhi squirm, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today reaffirmed that he would like to see ‘‘reforms’’ in the basic principles of Marxism. ‘‘It has to be compatible with changing times. It has to facilitate and carry forward the agenda for reforms,’’ he said.He said the state needed funds for development. ‘‘Therefore, I am not going to see the colour of capital. Capital might come from any source. I don’t care. It is welcome, except for those from smugglers and blackmarkeeters,’’ he said.“Marxism will have to keep pace with the changing times. Marxism is a science. It’s not a dogma. We cannot stick to old principles if we want to survive. We will have to reform and perform otherwise we will have to perish.’’The CM was speaking at a press meet at Writers’ Buildings today on his recent trip to Singapore and Indonesia where he wooed investors.The tone and tenor of his address today was a clear hint of the authority with which he had been carrying his thoughts. He however, sought to clarify certain confusion created about the Left’s stated position on several issues and his views.The CM had reportedly said that he wanted 100 per cent FDI in new airports. He clarified that the ‘‘Central government’s policy on this is that it will allow foreign investments in this sector on a 49-51 ratio’’.He then went on to add: ‘‘How can I deviate from that? What I meant in Jakarta is that private participation should be 100 per cent of this 49 per cent in building airports.’’ But the clarification was not accepted by a section of the industry delegation which had accompanied him on this tour. A representative in the team who had heard the CM talk on the issue, said today that he had indeed talked about 100 per cent FDI in airports.
