Tata Motors' Kant: Mamata silent on talks

Ravi Kant, managing director of Tata Motors, today said the company had sent feelers to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Bannerjee, who is spearheading the protest against their car plant in West Bengal, for talks to explain their work but to no avail.

"We have sent feelers to her three-four times in the past three months, but we have not had any positive response to that," Kant told PTI here when asked if they had talked to the protesting leader.

He said Tata Motors was not averse to holding talks with the firebrand leader and asked those protesting to understand the "ground realities" first before opposing the project with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore. "We are open to talks with her. We would like to explain to her (Mamata) the kind of activities that we have planned for Singur. We are open to suggestions," he added.

On whether Tatas have thought of looking at alternate sites, he replied in the negative saying the state government had been very supportive, and the project would prove to be a milestone for the "re-industrialisation" of West Bengal.

This is the first time the automobile giant has made its willingness public for talks ever since its plan to set up the ambitious small car plant at Singur in West Bengal hit a roadblock. "We are in the business of car making for the public. In that context, we want to talk to people. Why should we be averse to talking to anyone?" Kant asked.