CPI-M’s ex-minister meets Mamata on land policy
October 31st, 2011 - 8:38 pm ICT by IANS
Kolkata, Oct 31 (IANS) Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader and former West Bengal land reforms minister Abdul Rezzak Mollah Monday met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the issue of the state’s agricultural land policy.
“The meeting was positive. We have discussed a few issues. During my tenure as land reforms minister, I wanted to bring in an amendment that agricultural land cannot be used for any other purpose other than agricultural activities. I have given the draft of that amendment to the CM (chief minister), she has received it positively and has promised to look into the matter,” Mollah told reporters after the meeting.
During his tenure as minister, Mollah had been the strongest critic of former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhhatacharjee’s industrial policies and land acquisition for industries.
One of the few heavyweights of CPI-M who has managed to win in the 2011 assembly polls, he said he had another request for the chief minister.
“I have also requested her to look into the matter regarding the 83 people of my constituency who are out of their homes since assembly polls. I have also told her to see that all the farmers irrespective of their political identity get the opportunity to reap their crops,” said Mollah, who is also a popular peasant leader of the state.
Mollah’s meeting with Banerjee has raised several questions in the political circles of the state as it was believed that he met Banerjee without any prior permission from the party.
Asked if he had taken the party’s permission to meet the chief minister, Mollah retorted: “What do you people think that do I need to take permission of the party for everything. Do I need to take permission of the party to father a child?”
The state leadership of the CPI-M, meanwhile, seemed unaware of Mollah’s meeting with Banerjee.
“I am not aware of any such meeting. If an MLA (legislator) of our party wants to meet the chief minister, then there is no problem but if the meeting is based on any certain specific issue, then sometimes permission is needed,” said Rabin Deb, CPI-M state secretariat member.
- Left lost polls on Singur land, says CPI-M leader - May 26, 2011
- CPI-M demands judicial inquiry into Bengal police firing - Dec 02, 2011
- Left Front blocked pro-farmer law, says ex-Bengal minister - Jun 13, 2011
- CPI-M pulls up former minister for criticising Buddhadeb - May 18, 2011
- Left has miles to go to regain lost ground (One year of Mamata Banerjee) - May 17, 2012
- CPI-M leader slams Buddhadeb for poll rout - May 14, 2011
- Personal abuse and attacks mar Bengal poll campaign - May 11, 2011
- CPI-M leader questions Nandigram accused's induction - Mar 20, 2012
- Return of Singur land welcomed, but CPI-M opposes ordinance - Jun 10, 2011
- Police made a mistake by firing: Mamata - Dec 02, 2011
- 26 Bengal ministers lose in elections - May 14, 2011
- Endgame for Left in Bengal, Trinamool headed for big win (Lead) - May 13, 2011
- Campaign ends for third phase of Bengal polls - Apr 25, 2011
- Mamata rejects probe into farmer suicides - Jan 25, 2012
- Need for re-look at poll expense limit: CPI-M - Jan 28, 2011
Tags: agricultural activities, agricultural land, assembly polls, banerjee, chief minister, communist party of india, communist party of india marxist, CPI, heavyweights, industrial policies, land acquisition, land reforms, legislator, mollah, peasant leader, political circles, political identity, s industrial, state leadership, west bengal