‘PM’s Singur rally planned sans consent’: 20 ‘landowners’ lodge police complaint
Times of India | 16 January 2026
Singur (Hooghly): A group of 20 landowners in Singur lodged a police complaint on Thursday, alleging that the Jan 18 public meeting likely to be addressed by PM Narendra Modi, had been planned on their land without their consent.
Bharat Sahana, Muktoram Santra and 18 others submitted written complaints at the local police station and with the Singur BDO, claiming that they had not been informed before arrangements began for the rally at Gopalnagar in Singher Bheri mouza.
"We are the landowners of the site. We found that a meeting of the PM would be held there on Jan 18. How are pandals and other structures being erected without our consent? Please take necessary action," the complaint urged. "Some landowners of the meeting site have submitted a complaint. The matter has been as forwarded to the police," said BDO Sauvik Ghoshal.
BJP Hooghly organisational president Gautam Chatterjee claimed the party had administrative clearance.
"We have a permission letter. The meeting was planned after discussions with the administration. A section of TMC netas are trying to create disturbance... they are nervous about this meeting," he said. State minister Becharam Manna said: "We have never been against industrialisation. BJP did not even consider taking permission from landowners on whose land they are organising the rally. The landowners have denied permission and complained to the BDO."
Meanwhile, locals have shown mixed reaction to the rally. "We supported the meeting initially. But after Sukanta Majumdar spoke about the return of the Tatas, I changed my mind. I do not support it any more," said Amiya Dhara, a landowner.
On the other hand, Mahadeb Das, a farmer who was part of the the Singur land acquisition stir in 2006, said, "We failed to cultivate the land after getting it back in 2016. The land is not favourable for agriculture. I wrote to state govt twice. If the PM can help in this matter, why should I not attend?"