Earlier, Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi had deferred the much-awaited meeting to resolve the Singur crisis to later on Friday asking both sides to participate in a "mood of reconciliation and compromise".

Gandhi, who called this meeting on Wednesday to end the deadlock over Tata Motors Nano plant, told reporters at the Raj Bhavan that the state government representatives had urged him to postpone the session by a few hours and "I requested the opposition to consider it".

Refuting this, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya said that the state government did not seek any postponment.

"I have now decided to hold the meeting at 4 pm," he said. The meeting was earlier scheduled at 10 am.

The governor, who chose to preside over the meeting, but not to mediate, asked both the government and the opposition to come forward with an "attitude of compromise and a spirit of reconciliation".

The meeting has generated hopes about the future of Tata's Nano car plant.

"I am pleased with both sides for reacting positively to my request to attend the meeting," he said, adding he was appealing to the two parties to ensure the success of the talks.