Bengal: Singur Landowners Object to PM Modi’s Proposed Rally, File Complaint Over Lack of Consent

A group of 20 landowners from Singur have lodged a formal complaint with the local Gram Panchayat and the Block Development Officer (BDO), alleging that preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public meeting scheduled on January 18 are being carried out on their land without their consent.

The landowners, including Mukut Ram Satra, Bharat Sahana and 18 others, submitted written representations stating that arrangements for the proposed rally had begun at Gopal Nagar in the Singher Bheri mauja without prior information or permission from them. They claimed that despite being the rightful owners of the land, they were kept completely unaware of the plans and were neither consulted nor approached by the organisers.

In their complaint, the landowners urged the concerned authorities to intervene and take appropriate action. Singur BDO Shouvik Ghoshal confirmed that his office had received complaints from several landowners regarding the issue.
Reacting to the development, Singur MLA and West Bengal minister Becharam Manna said that neither he nor his party was opposed to industrialisation or to a public meeting being addressed by the Prime Minister. However, he alleged that the BJP had failed to show basic courtesy by not seeking permission from the landowners whose land was being used for the rally. “There was no permission sought from the owners of the land for PM Modi’s public meeting. They were not consulted verbally nor received a written intimation. This is obnoxious given that it is a standard operating procedure and how can someone who has taken an oath to adhere to the Constitution of India not abide by the law of the land?” the MLA said.

According to Manna, the aggrieved landowners have now denied permission for the event and approached the local administration. “They have filed a complaint with the BDO. I hope there is cognizance of the overriding of SOP and proper action in the said matter,” Manna added.

Responding to the allegations, district BJP leaders maintained that all necessary administrative clearances had already been obtained for the programme. They alleged that a section of local Trinamool Congress leaders was attempting to create disturbances out of fear that the Prime Minister’s meeting could shift the local vote base in favour of the BJP.​