The dharna near the factory gate was peaceful and Banerjee was joined, among others, by SP general secretary Amar Singh and activist Medha Patkar.

"I would urge the Tatas not to leave Bengal. Stay here, be satisfied with 600 acres. Please return 400 acres to the farmers or else we will continue to sit here and agitate," Banerjee told a huge gathering of party workers and supporters.

"We have ourselves identified 500 acres of land just opposite the Tata plant. It is low land and unsuitable for agriculture. The CPM is buying the land and plans to develop residential complexes. I urge the government to shift the ancillary units to that land," she said.

Saying her party was open to talks with the state government, she laid down a pre-condition -- the government must return 400 acres.

Amar Singh told the gathering he was "misled" by CPM general secretary Prakash Karat and politburo member Brinda Karat that the agitations in Nandigram and Singur were led by Naxalites and anti-social elements.