Durgapur, 07 May 04: Privatisation of coal is still an agenda in the NDA manifesto and the BJP is in no mood to alter this. This was categorically stated by the BJP national secretary, Mr Venkaiya Naidu in Panagarh today. Though Ms Mamata Banerjee , the NDA coal minister and chief of the Trinamul Congress, an NDA ally had repeatedly claimed that she had agreed to group up with the NDA after dismissing the agenda of coal privatisation from the manifesto. Mr Naidu, the BJP secretary's response was quite reverse to her claim. 

Mr. Naidu had been to Panagarh to attend a poll rally arranged to help campaigning in favour of party candidate, Mr Shib Narayan Saha. He told reporters, 'she had a discussion with the Prime Minister and myself previously regarding the privatisation issue and she had appealed to withdraw the issue.' He added, 'the matter would be further discussed with Ms Banerjee after the NDA resumes charge. Though presently we do not roll back the coal privatisation agenda.' The BJP secretary further elaborated, 'final decision on it will not be taken without the prior consent of the Trinamool Congress. Any thing in this regard will be done duly after taking the parliament in to confidence.' Ms.Banerjee during an election campaign in the coalfield areas had claimed that there would be no privatisation of coal and she had agreed only after the NDA had withdrawn the coal privatisation issue. The Left parties had strongly criticised her stating that the NDA manifesto could not be altered despite of her proclamation. 

Speaking on industrialisation, Mr Naidu assured every assistance for its growth and prosperity here. He blamed the LF backed arbitrary Trade Union movement responsible for the closure of the PSUs in Bengal, and the Congress for ruining it. Closed PSU units around this industrial belt, according to Mr Naidu, 'may have a chance of re-opening if positive viability of the respective units are ensured through realistic revival packages.'