It could not have been more ironical. On a day when Ratan Tata announced Nano’s roll-out at a press meet in Mumbai months after being forced out by Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool chief released her party’s manifesto that talks of industry and development, but reiterates her stand against forcible land acquisition.

The manifesto, released at a press meet at Banerjee’s Kalighat residence, included her other pet planks like opposing disinvestment in banking and insurance sector and her opposition to shopping malls.

The document also says the Trinamool would root for a non-BJP, non-Third Front government at the Centre.

“Why should there not be development in Bengal. We are 32 years late in development. We want to make the sea town of Digha at par with Goa and North Bengal with Switzerland. We want a Kolkata on par with London. Why not? By development, we do not mean bloodbath and guns, but pro-people industries. Land should not be acquired forcefully,” said Banerjee.

“When we come to power, we will show how development and industrialisation are done in Bengal. There is ample scope of boosting industries in jute textile, engineering and steel in Bengal apart from utilisation of our natural resources,” she said.

The manifesto, besides talking of development of Kolkata and Haldia ports, also speaks about revival of closed and sick industries in Bengal.

To maintain a safe distance from the BJP, the manifesto stresses on “secular ideals”. It also says that 50 per cent of the revenue earned by the Centre should be given to the states.

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