The chemical hub will be projected as a poll plank for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and a

redeeming feature of its failing industrialisation plans.

At a meeting of the 13-member CPM state secretariat on Friday, Commerce and Industries Minister Nirupam Sen spoke about the status of the Nayachar project.

The approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had been obtained and the project has been forwarded to the Union Cabinet for approval.

Sen said he expected the Union Cabinet approval within two weeks. “Work on the project will begin soon after the final clearance.”

While the financial investment structure of the Nayachar project will differ from the Nandigram format, sources said a major role would still be played by the Indonesia-based Salim Group.

Emerging from the meeting, Sen told mediapersons at the Alimuddin Street party headquarters that he was looking forward to the approval of the Union Cabinet at the earliest. “We have informed the Centre that their approval must come before the Lok Sabha polls,” Sen said.

Party sources said the CPM top brass was eager to get things going at Nayachar before the Election Commission imposes the model code of conduct.

“The Nayachar project will definitely feature in our election campaign. We want to tell the people that this chemical hub will make us self-sufficient in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals,” said Biman Bose, party state secretary.

“At the moment, most of our pharma needs are met from outside the state,” he added.

Bose exhorted the efforts of the commerce and industries ministry and stated that the Nayachar project is a much-needed development work. He brushed aside the reservations expressed by the Opposition Trinamool Congress, whose strongman and MLA in East Midnapore, Sisir Adhikari, has declared that “no chemical hub would be allowed to come up anywhere in the district”.

“There is no question of land acquisition in Nayachar. The project land is already vested with the state government. I fail to see the logic behind the Opposition’s objection to the project,” said Bose.

Apart from the Nayachar project, the meeting also discussed the massive rally planned by the Left Front on Sunday. Bose said at least 12 lakh supporters would be mobilised for the rally.