Politics top winner in Singur debate

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee's hunger strike entered the 25th day on Thursday. Her health condition continues to deteriorate and a medical team is keeping a close watch on her.

While the showdown over Singur refuses to subside with both sides sticking to their guns, the entire Singur debate has taken on another dimension. It is not just Mamata who is trying to draw political mileage out of Singur. In fact, a new group of radical Left youths are suddenly becoming politically active.

On the right of the political divide, BJP President Rajnath Singh is trying to make a political statement, positioning himself as a coalition leader who takes care of his allies.

Meanwhile, the Congress too has joined issues, saying the West Bengal Government must find a way out of the issue sooner than later. The party has also expressed concern over the deteriorating health of Mamata Banerjee.

The CPI-M has also expressed concern over Mamata's health. CPI-M leader Nilotpal Basu said the Opposition is politicising the issue. "We are not legally bound, but we have taken the farmers of Singur into confidence before land acquisition," he said.

And then there are those in the West Bengal Left, who are critical of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's leadership. This group is just waiting for the right time to speak out.

On Wednesday, Mamata received few words of sympathy from AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, who also appealed to her to give up her indefinite fast over land acquisition for Tata Motors' small car project at Singur.

Expressing concern over the deteriorating health condition of Trinamool Congress chief, Jayalalithaa made the appeal over telephone and also through a letter, which was handed over to Banerjee by AIADMK MPs N Jothi and Gokula Indira in Kolkata.

Meanwhile, the All India Forward Block(AIFB) on Thursday appealed to Mamata Banerjee to withdraw her hunger strike and come to the discussion table, saying all possible efforts have been made to evolve the Singur deal as a pro-farmers project.

AIFB claimed the farmers of Singur have happily given away the 943 acre of land for the Tata car project and they have been assured a prime price for their land besides 40 per cent bonus and a job for one family member in the Tata small car project..