A furious chief minister found “reflection of the (opposition) Trinamul Congress’ stand” in this overnight change of stance by the Congress leadership which came after Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee met Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.

Banerjee has long been lobbying on behalf of the agitated farmers of Singur, who have launched series of protests demanding adequate compensation from Tata Motors for the land acquired by the company from them. Ever since the strikes began, work at the world's cheapest car factory has come to a grinding halt.

On Tuesday, the state government called an all-party meeting at the behest of the Congress ahead of West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's meeting with Tata's chief Ratan Tata slated for October 3.

The outcome of the all-party meeting was particularly embarrassing for the state government as it failed to muster support from any opposition party.

The Trinamul Congress, along with the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI), boycotted the meeting, demanding implementation of the earlier accord.

Subrata Mukherjee, who represented the Congress at the meeting, said: “When the state government has agreed to part with 70 acres, why can't the quantum of land be increased to 170 or 270 acres. The Tatas should be asked to move out a part of the ancillaries ... We are not supporting the resolution for the time being.” Congress president, PR Dasmunshi's letter to the chief minister echoed the same arguments put forward by Banerjee.

Referring to the letter, Bhattacharjee said: “I do not know if this is an unanimous stand of their party leaders. However, the Congress said it is not supporting the resolution at present. Hopefully, good sense would prevail.”

The resolution read that the participants were expressing concern over the suspension of work at Singur and appealed to Tata Motors and ancillaries to resume work, as well as to the people in general to ensure a congenial atmosphere for construction of the plant.