On backfoot, CPM to study SEZs threadbare

With the Nandigram SEZ issue continuing to boil and allies raising discordant notes, the CPIM has decided to discuss the issue threadbare.

With the Nandigram SEZ issue continuing to boil and allies raising discordant notes, the CPIM has decided to discuss the issue threadbare. Alarmed at the violent turn of events, the party feels 8220;the misinformation campaign8221; got better off the 8220;facts8221; and its time it discussed the issue point by point to devise a strategy to explain the matter to the masses.

Apart from the Politburo meeting convened on February 17 and 18, the central leadership will be making an elaborate study about 8220;various issues8221; emerging out of the proposed SEZ in Nandigram. Party sources concede that the fallout of an SEZ project will be much higher than Singur, in terms of it affecting the interest of its constituents if the 8220;concerns are not addressed and opposition continues to take political mileage8221;.

Party leaders feel that since the Salim Group project needs acquisition of over 25,000 acre, the CPIM needs to study every aspect to contain the political damage. 8220;The party will soon discuss all issues related to the project and we are sure people will understand the facts,8221; senior CPIM leader and Politburo member S Ramachandran Pillai said.

The party is however clear that there is no going back on industrialisation. 8220;We need to move on from the agrarian phase and for setting up industries we need land. It8217;s almost impossible to find non-agricultural land in a state like West Bengal,8221; reasoned a party central committee member.

8220;All we have to do is ensure that people realise the importance of industrial projects and they get adequate compensation and a source of livelihood.8221;

Some party leaders feel the CPIM machinery in the state did not live up to the task of 8220;explaining the factual position of land acquisition, letting the opponents gain mileage on the basis of rumours8221;. 8220;In early January, CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee categorically said land acquisition has not started. But Nandigram is rife with all sorts of rumours,8221; points out a state leader.

On the other hand, allies have been flaying the CPIM for its handling of Nandigram, for they fear 8220;such policies are causing them political damage8221;. 8220;We have 23 MLAs and four ministers in the state. More importantly, we have portfolios like agriculture and agriculture marketing. As a party we stand to suffer from these polices of the CPIM,8221; explained a Forward Bloc leader.