'No compromise without return of land to farmers'

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee says that no compromise formula could be worked out without the return of 400 acres of land acquired from the unwilling farmers.

Maintaining that she was open for talks with the Tatas on their small car factory at Singur, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Friday said no compromise formula could be worked out without the return of 400 acres of land acquired from the unwilling farmers.

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"No compromise formula is possible without return of the 400 acres to the farmers," Mamata said and asserted that she will not initiate any move for the talks.

Earlier in the day veteran Marxist Jyoti Basu welcomed Mamata Banerjee's openness for talks with the Tatas.

The Tatas had Thursday responded by saying that they were not averse to talk to anyone.

Asked if she had received any feelers from the Tatas, Mamata said "These are not done secretly. I will let you know if I get any communication (from the Tatas)."

Mamata said that she had not received any communication from the state government either and added that "We can solve the problem."

On a query, she said if the farmers got back their land (400 acres), they will be able to make it irrigable.

"Trinamool Congress will expose CPI(M) and the state government and prove that we are for development in West Bengal," she said accusing the Left of portraying her as 'anti-industry' and 'anti-development'.