Commenting on the Kolkata Book Fair, which could not be held at all this year following similar objections, Chatterjee said the cancellation was the most unfortunate thing to happen to book lovers.

When asked whether the Left front government was to blame partly, since it has done nothing about a promise to build an alternative fair ground, Chatterjee said: "If you think so, then write it."

In 2003, the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government had promised to the high court that it would build a proper fair ground at an alternative location. The new location is near the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, and the environment lobby that has gotten the court to shut out the Maidan has so far not raised any objections to this area.

Since then, although the government has sanctioned funds, the West Bengal Industrial Development Corp has not made any progress with the work.

Commerce and industry minister Nirupam Sen, who is also chairman of the WBIDC, said today that the BNCCI trade fair would take place next year at a modern complex with all amenities. This year, the fair, which concluded today, had to be held in Salt Lake and reported poor crowd turnout. For the past few years, when it was being held on the Maidan, it used to be thronged by people.

"The fair is for the people to know about the activities of development of the country. But this time many people were deprived because of some people," Chatterjee said.

Chatterjee also criticised the Opposition for objecting to the acquisition of farmland for industry by the government, saying that the objections were more political than born out of concern for the farmer.

However, Sen was more conciliatory.

"We believe in inclusive democracy where dialogue, debate and suggestions are integral components," said Sen.

Sen said that he wants to iterate that, in the best democratic spirit and tradition, the government wants to resolve the differences in perception and approach to development in the present realities through discussion.