NDA delegation to visit Nandigram

Amid continuing violence, a National Democratic Alliance delegation, led by Leader of Opposition L K Advani, will visit Nandigram on Tuesday for garnering "first-hand knowledge 'of the situation. The nine-member delegation is expected to visit the trouble-torn village in East Midnapore district and various hospitals, where a number of injured are admitted, party chief whip S S Ahluwalia said.

The delegation, includes Sushma Swaraj and Alhuwalia (BJP), Sharad Yadav (JD-U), B K Tripathi (BJD), Anant Gudhe (Shiv Sena), Sukhbir Singh Badad (Akali Dal) and Chandan Mitra and Sharad Joshi (both MPs).

Stepping up pressure, the NDA is also expected to raise the issue during the winter session of Parliament as it alleged that West Bengal's Left government was being protected by the Centre despite Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi's report and continuing violence in Nandigram.

"Based on the team's report, the NDA will raise the matter in Parliament during the upcoming session beginning Thursday," BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

"The Nandigram violence has exposed the real face of the Communist party," he said. Describing the Centre's silence as unfortunate, he said the Congress-led ruling coalition was only interested in saving the government.

"The Central government is only shedding crocodile tears and doing nothing on the ground despite Governor's report and widespread anger," Naqvi said.