Ghost of Nandigram looming,CPM in Nayachar bind

“Considering that people will correlate Nayachar issue with the Nandigram case,we are against highlighting the issue in the poll campaign,” said a state secretariat member of the Bloc.

On the other hand,CPM sources said Sen has told his partymen that the issue would have a positive effect in urban areas as it involved massive employment generation.

“At this stage inclusion of Nayachar issue in the manifesto is not possible,but party stalwarts will highlight the issue during campaign,despite strong criticism from LF partners,” said a senior CPM leader.

“We have raised our objections against the project considering environment issues,” said Kshiti Goswami,RSP leader and state PWD Minister.

“The chemical hub will not pose environmental hazards. After considering all environmental angles,the Union government has cleared it,” said Nirupam Sen.

While leaders at the state level are confused about the issue,at ground zero,CPM candidate from area Lakshman Seth has already begun showcasing Nayachar as a success story. “The land at Nayachar belongs to the government. Still we face a false allegation that if industries come up at Nayachar,another Nandigram will repeat itself,” said Seth.

In early March,the CPM had sent a draft manifesto to all the Front partners but the RSP and Bloc forced the party to delete industrialisation as its success story. Two days ago,however,the Union Cabinet sent the letter of consent for Nayachar project. Since then the CPM leaders are trying to highlight the issue in poll campaign to woo urban voters.