Singur verdict: This is a landmark victory, now I can die in peace, says Mamata Banerjee

"I am remembering those people who made sacrifices fighting for this. This is a landmark victory after we thought of the new name for State of West Bengal. Very happy with the decision," said Banerjee.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a public meeting in Singur,on Saturday. Express Photo by Partha Paul.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday hailed the Supreme Court’s decision after it quashed the land acquisition in Singur by the Buddhadeb Bhattacharya-led CPM government in 2006 for allotting it to Tata to set up its Nano car factory. In a statement to the media, Banerjee said she was happy for this grand success after 10 long years.

“I am remembering those people who made sacrifices fighting for this. This is a landmark victory after we thought of the new name for State of West Bengal. Very happy with the decision,” said Banerjee.

ALSO READ: Supreme Court quashes acquisition, orders Bengal govt to return land in 12 weeks

The apex court’s decision was a shot in the arm for Mamata Banerjee and her party Trinamool Congress, which had led the protest against the allocation of land for the Tata factory. In view of the judgment, Banerjee has asked for a strategy meeting tomorrow at 4 pm.

“I would expect everyone to celebrate this Singur Utsav, it’s like an invocation of the celebration to Durga Puja. I had dreamt of this SC verdict for so long, for the people of Singur. Now I can die in peace. West Bengal is the final industrial destination, keep that in mind,” added Banerjee.

The top court on Wednesday held that the acquisition could not be said to be for a “public purpose” and hence the land should be remitted back to farmers within 12 weeks. The court also said that farmers who got compensation from the government will not return it because they were deprived of their livelihood for the last ten years. While setting aside the Calcutta High Court order of upholding the acquisition process, the Supreme Court bench ruled that the acquisition was bad in law on several grounds and that acquiring the land from the farmers for giving it to a company for a car plant could not come under the ambit of “public purpose”.