Kolkata/Singur: CM Mamata Banerjee is all set to hold an administrative meeting in Singur on Jan 28, days after PM Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting at the area which was once Bengal's political hotspot.
The CM is likely to distribute benefits of various state schemes at the meeting. According to Nabanna sources, she is likely to hand out funds under the Banglar Bari project to 16 lakh families.
Sources from Trinamool suggest that Banerjee might deliver a political message from the same meet, and some think she might counter what Modi told the crowd at his Singur rally. Banerjee, sources think, might present statistics on industrial investment in the state. While Modi attacked the TMC-led govt, he did not provide any specific assurances regarding new industries or investments.
Following the PM's meeting, TMC netas and workers had been asked by the leadership to find a spot around Gopalnagar Mouza for a meeting that the CM would lead and to prepare for the same. The Chief Minister's Office later announced that Banerjee would hold an administrative meeting instead.
Calling the upcoming meeting "historic", Singur land movement neta and state minister Becharam Manna said: "It was Mamatadi who showed us the path of resistance. She spent sleepless nights with the interest of farmers on her mind. Modi made several false promises in Singur. On Jan 28, you will see locals join the CM's meeting spontaneously — they wouldn't be crowd brought from other states."
BJP neta Gautam Chatterjee, on the other hand, claimed that "there would be no takers" for the CM's meeting.
Some farmers and landowners who attended the PM's meeting said they would attend the CM's meeting too. "We are left in the lurch as politics plays out. We are hoping we get something positive out of the Jan 28 meeting," said Amiya Dhara.
Ashok Das, another farmer, said they want some work on ground and not mere assurance. "It is with hope that I will attend Didi's meeting."