Kolkata, April 9 Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday alleged that the land in Singur, where the Tata Nano factory project was abandoned, stands as a "symbol of failure" of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claiming that farmers feel "cheated" years after the anti-land acquisition stir.
After visiting the site and interacting with local farmers, Chouhan said that though Mamata Banerjee came to power in West Bengal through the Singur movement, she has now forgotten what she had promised to the farmers.
The land has been left unsuitable for growing crops. Farmers are suffering and feel cheated now, he said.
Calling the site emblematic of governance failure, he told reporters, "This land is a symbol of Mamata Banerjee's failure. I was very keen to see how this land, which witnessed such a major movement, has been improved for the sake of the farmers. Now, I can realize that the entire protest was done to get some political benefits."
Claiming that agriculture was not viable there, he added, "Agriculture is impossible on this land unless the concrete is removed from beneath the soil. The claim that farming is happening is a big, big lie."
He alleged that neither industrialization nor agricultural development took place on the land.
"Neither industry was built here, nor anything was done to improve the land and make it fit for agriculture. Farmers are crying," he said.
"The CM could have changed it in 15 years if she was honestly keen to do it, but it has been proven that hers were crocodile tears," Chouhan added, while noting that "the Centre could not do anything without the state government's help".
Addressing a public rally, he said, "If the BJP comes to power, we will take different inputs from an agricultural point of view and then develop the land and set up a hub so that the farmers get justice and are financially benefited."
Referring to the sufferings of the potato farmers, he said, "Today, I am standing on a potato farming land. Farmers are very upset here. She (Mamata) said that potatoes would be purchased, but the block offices said that there were no circulars for this."
Later, speaking at a conclave at the National Library in Kolkata, he alleged that Banerjee, in pursuit of votes, had "compromised the interests of the country by providing shelter to infiltrators."
He added, "If a BJP government is elected, every infiltrator will be identified and removed."