Day 2: Singur talks end in stalemate

The West Bengal government-Trinamool Congress (TC) talks to find a solution to the Singur crisis remained inconclusive on Saturday.

However, TC supremo Mamata Bannerjee said at her dharna site in Singur, “Talks are progressing on a positive note.” Her supporters think the fact that the government is considering Mamata’s ‘land-for-land’ formula is a victory.

At the end of the second rounds of discussions at Raj Bhavan in Kolkata on Saturday on the rehabilitation scheme for those who had lost their lands for the Tatas’ Nano small car factory in Singur, there was all-round optimism, excepting the government side.

Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi, who is chairing the meeting, also sounded confident. He said, “I am confident that the discussions, marked by frankness and cordiality, will lead to a satisfactory solution tomorrow or the day after.”

What’s more, efforts are on to hold a meeting between Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Mamata Banerjee.

The government team did not look too happy, although it agreed to continue the dialogue. Sources said the government’s new worry was the Tatas’ not-so-encouraging response to the idea of giving up a portion of the land earmarked for offices and training facilities.