Srijan Bhattacharya, the CPM’s young bet for the Singur Assembly constituency, has reached out to Manoranjan Malik, the father of Tapasi Malik whose murder was one of the factors that changed the complexion of the antiland acquisition movement in 2006 during Left rule.

Srijan, campaigning near the Singur railway station on Thursday, was told by a party colleague that Manoranjan runs a small store selling cosmetics and accessories nearby.

The 28-year-old candidate went up to Manoranjan’s shop. “I introduced myself and told him we are speaking for youths and industrialisation in Singur. Our vision for Singur remains the same. I sought his blessings and support,” Srijan told The Telegraph.

“Tomake shubhechha (good wishes to you),” Srijan quoted Manoranjan as telling him.

Contacted on Friday, Manoranjan said: “It was not only me (that Srijan met). He came to the market near the Singur railway station where I have a small shop. He met all the shopowners there and he met me too.”

Tapasi’s charred body was found in December 2006 on the land given to Tata Motors in Singur. CPM leaders Suhrid Dutta and Debu Mallick, out on bail since February 2009, had been accused of rap¬ing and setting fire to Tapasi.

“I was about 14 then,” said Srijan. “Tapasi Malik’s death had hurt me too. However, despite all my sympathies for Manoranjanbabu, I want to remind people that none of the CPM leaders who had been accused killing Tapasi was found guilty.” Given a chance, he would ensure proper investigation into Tapasi’s death, he added.

The CPM leadership now acknowledges that “some mistakes” were made during Left rule in the industrialisation drive spearheaded by then chief minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

“The party in its internal assessment has later accepted that though our intention was right, the implementation could have been done in a better manner,” a CPM state committee member said. “However, we still believe that there is no alternative to industrialisation for Bengal’s growth and we want the people of Singur with us to realise this vision.”

Srijan’s first social media post on March 10 evening after his candidature was announced read: “Krishi Amader Bhitti, Shilpo Amader Bhobisyot (agriculture is our foundation, industry is our future). This was the motto of the Left in 2006.