Singur standoff: Mamata slams CPM

NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Bannerjee has alleged that CPM supporters attacked her party workers.

Mamata alleged CPM provocation before crucial talks with the Governor. "Such attacks before the Governor���s meet are not appreciated,��� the Trinamool Congress leader said.

Meanwhile, after weeks of standoff at the Tata Plant in Singur, which intensified on Tuesday (September 2) the Tatas announced their decision to suspend work, a solution may be in sight.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and the Tatas are expected to meet Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee in the presence of the Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi in the next 48 hours.

Chairman of Tata Motors Ratan Tata may "make himself available", if the situation demands his presence. Ratan Tata is also understood to have spoken to the Governor.

The Chief Minister has drafted a proposal for tripartite talks that will be facilitated by the Governor. Both the Trinamool Congress and the CM separately requested the Governor to be the mediator.

The Governor is learnt to have agreed to chair the proposed tripartite meeting. The services of a legal expert, preferably a former judge, would be sought, if needed, during the meeting. If the talks take place as planned, the government is expected to offer a package that involves the promise of some land to the farmer.

On Tuesday frustrated with ''continued confrontation and agitation'' at the Singur site, Tata Motors moved to seriously act on Ratan Tata's threat to pull out the Nano project from West Bengal. A company statement said Tatas were ''evaluating alternate options'' and considering relocating the plant and machinery.

The Tata statement said, ''In view of the current situation, the company is evaluating alternate options for manufacturing the Nano car at other company facilities and a detailed plan to relocate the plant and machinery to an alternate site is under preparation.''