On SEZs, Cong gives it back to the Left

Seeking to turn the tables on the Left for its opposition to special economic zones, All India Congress Committee General Secretary Margaret Alva today accused UPA allies of adopting different standards for the Centre and states.

This comes two days after CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat called for changes in the SEZ Act and Rules, saying they did not favour farmers.

"Now that Karat has spoken against acquisition of land and shown concern about farmers, I would expect the Left to join the statewide bandh (to protest against acquisition of land in Singur for an automobile unit on October 9) called by the Trinamool Congress and supported by the Congress," said Alva, party incharge for West Bengal and Maharashtra.

While the Left leaders were critical of Mamata Banerjee for her agitation against land acquisition in Singur, they were supporting farmers' agitation against land acquisition for an SEZ in Maharashtra, she said.

Alva said the Congress was supporting the "spontaneous protest" by farmers in Singur. Their land was being acquired even though there was a lot of waste land at other places in the state, she said.