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West Bengal (WB) Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya seems to have gone on the offensive after his party, the CPI (M) took flak for the Nandigram incident.

On Sunday night, in his first interaction after the incident, Bhattacharya met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a one-on-one meeting to explain the issues involved in Nandigram and why it was necessary for the Centre to fast track a comprehensive new policy on 'special economic zones' (SEZs).

This is Bhattacharya's second high profile meeting in less than 24 hours. Late on Saturday night, he had met UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Party Politburo Member Sitaram Yechury had accompanied him.

It was learnt that during both meetings, Bhattacharya explained the sequence of events that led to police firing in Nandigram on March 14 that left 14 dead and several injured.

He told both that the WB Government was keen to industrialise the state but following the Nandigram incident, the entire process has been stalled.

Once the rehabilitation package for the displaced is in place, the Left Front Government would resume the process of industrialisation, he said.

It was learnt that Sonia commented that it is always bad when people are killed in such incidents. She added, sources said, that the incident should not be repeated. And if it were repeated, then she would have to strongly react as the chairperson of the UPA.

Meanwhile, the CPI (M) discussed a report on Nandigram that was submitted by the state unit during the day two of the central committee meeting in New Delhi.

The top leadership, including the chief ministers of West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura and general secretary, Prakash Karat, are taking part in the meeting, which concludes on Monday.

Email author: spatranobis@hindustantimes.com