Showing no bitterness over what happened in Singur, Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata Friday said some day Tata Motors will have a plant somewhere in West Bengal and reiterated that the salt-to-software conglomerate has no intention to “walk away” from the state.
“Several persons have asked about Singur. I think it doesn’t bring any sense of anger to me, just a sense of sadness that we couldn’t do something here,” Tata told shareholders at the annual general meeting of Tata Global Beverages here.
“It (Singur case) is sub-judice today and whatever the outcome is, I think we will respect the law and wishes of the Bengal government,” he said.
Tata, who chaired the AGM for the last time as he will retire in December when he turns 75, said: “May be one day you will have a Tata Motors factory somewhere in Bengal and hopefully be welcomed.”
The automobile giant had plans to roll out the the small car Nano from Singur in Hooghly district, but had to shift to Sanand in Gujarat following an intense political protest spearheaded by the then main opposition Trinamool Congress who demanded return of 400 acres of land allegedly taken forcibly from farmers by the then Left Front government.
Replying to some shareholders query about continuing business in West Bengal, the head of the $83.3 billion group, said: “We will be here because this is a part of India and we are considered to be an Indian group, in which we have no difference or bias. So both the group and I personally, have no intension about walking away from West Bengal.”
Tata turned very emotional Friday when he was replying to the shareholders and thanked them for their sentiments and warmth.
“This has been an equally emotional meeting for me. I think the warmth, the sincerity and the affection that has been displayed… something I will be carrying back with me through the remaining life of me… I am an emotional person. And I will not forget which you have meant to me in the years that I have needed,” he said.