West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattcharjee on Thursday told his Cabinet colleagues that not much hope is left for the rollout of the Nano from the Singur factory.

At the end of the Cabinet meeting, Bhattacharjee’s colleagues wanted to know if the Tatas were really pulling out from Singur. The chief minister who was said to be looking distinctly in despair, reportedly told them: “The situation in Singur has deteriorated to the point that there was hardly any hope for the Nano rollout. Singur hope was almost lost.”

Subsequently, the cabinet unanimously decided that a joint appeal should be made to the Tata Motors urging them to stay in Singur. Accordingly an appeal was issued: “The Cabinet appeals to the Tata Motors authority not to withdraw from West Bengal.” The statement also assured all help and cooperation to the company.

In Singur, a massive rally was taken out on Thursday afternoon by the CPM and pro-Tata factory supporters. Villagers carried posters saying: “We want Tata to stay.”

According to official sources in the chief minister’s secretariat, there are two major concerns for Bhattacharjee. First, the Tatas are holding regular discussions with chief ministers of other states to look for alternative sites for the Nano plant. Second, the new compensation package offered to the dispossessed farmers, has virtually been rejected by a majority of them. Of a total of 2,251 such farmers, only 69 accepted the new package.