New Delhi/Kolkata: Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee on Thursday night ended her 25-day hunger strike against the Tata Motors’ small car project in Singur.
"I am ending the fast because the country's top leaders, including President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, have requested me to do so," she said in Kolkata.
“The President is the highest authority of the country and the Prime Minister is the chief executive of the nation and in deference of their wishes I have decided to end my fast".
“Our agitation would continue under the banner of Krishi Jamee Bachao (Save Farmers' land) Committee till we achieve our goal," she said and claimed “moral victory”.
Banerjee was admitted to a private nursing home and would give a detailed statement later, Trinamool leaders said.
Banerjee said she had got a "nice" letter from the PM late night which requested her to end the fast and discuss her demands with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.
Manmohan’s letter, which was faxed to the office of West Bengal Governor, said Bhattacharjee would discuss all “issues” with her. "I believe that the Chief Minister has written to you today along these lines expressing his readiness for a dialogue on all outstanding issues," the Prime Minister said. "I, therefore, appeal to you end your fast".
Kalam had asked the PM to end the stalemate and ensure that Mamata’s health didn’t deteriorate. In the morning he spoke to Bhattacharjee.
Bhattacharjee then held a high-level meeting at the Secretariat and sent Banerjee a letter—his second after December 8.
"I have sent another letter, the contents of which I will not disclose. Let's hope for the best," Bhattacharjee said.
Bhattacharjee has reportedly offered to lift prohibitory orders in Singur and discuss allegations that farmers were forced to give their land for the project.
Who won?
Trinamool leaders said they were ready for talks with the Bengal government, but it is unclear whether a deal is possible.
The CM has insisted on the 25 days Banerjee was on fast that the Singur project was important for Bengal’s development and he wouldn’t allow it to be disturbed.
This morning again Bhattacharjee said in Jalpaiguri that the government would not go back on the project.
During her strike, Banerjee got support promises from the NDA and former prime minister V P Singh.
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