Overwhelmed by response to Facebook post on Singur: Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said that she was overwhelmed by the response to her Facebook post on her commitment to side with Singur farmers whether she was in power or not, after the Calcutta High Court verdict on the Singur land act.

"This has deeply touched my heart ... Your moral support at this juncture is a great source of inspiration to continue our struggle for the cause of farmers," Banerjee,the Trinamool Congress chief said, in a fresh post on Facebook.

Stating that the Singur land movement was a turning point in recent history, Banerjee said "That the movement started a serious debate in the country on the issue of land acquisition from small poor and marginal farmers."

Recalling that she had been on a 26 day hunger-strike, Banerjee said that the sensitivity to land primarily in an agrarian economy, had come to the forefront on the Singur issue.

She also thanked those who held different views and said, "This is the essence of our democracy. Let us continue to share our thoughts through this forum."

Banerjee's post yesterday received 1763 likes and 1123 comments.

Yesterday she had said in her post that throughout her life she had struggled for the cause of the farmers, working class, poor and under-privileged.

"Our commitment to be with them will remain, whether I am in power or not. I will continue to fight for this cause. Finally, the people's choice in democracy will prevail," she had written.

In its verdict yesterday the Calcutta High Court had said that the legislation, Singur Land and Rehabilitation Act 2011, passed in the West Bengal assembly was unconstitutional and void.