Bandh call leads to WB Cong, INTUC conflict

CALCUTTA, Feb 2: The issue of bandh seems to have caught both the West Bengal INTUC and the State Congress on the wrong foot. While the W...

CALCUTTA, Feb 2: The issue of bandh seems to have caught both the West Bengal INTUC and the State Congress on the wrong foot. While the WB INTUC announced bandh on February 8 to protest against the hike in prices of essential commodities, the angry State Congress leaders, who felt ignored by the INTUC decision, have called for an another state-wide bandh on February 12.

The State Congress leadership is unhappy with WB INTUC president Subrata Mukherjee, who also happens to be a state party president, for announcing the bandh quot;without consulting the PCC and also inviting the CPIM8217;s trade union wing CITU to join the state-wide general strike on February 8quot;.

Reacting sharply to Mukherjee8217;s unilateral call for strike on the 8th8217;, Pradip Bhattacharaya, a senior PCC leader, said: quot;Two strikes in a week would look funny. Anyway we cannot support a bandh called without PCC consultation and more importantly where the CITU is also invited.quot;

Bhattacharaya said the PCC would like the State INTUC to change its schedule to February 12. quot;We can tell you we are not changing the date nor joining a programme in which the CITU would take part.quot;

Unfazed by the PCC criticism, Subrata said: quot;It8217;s no more our bandh as all the trade unions have decided to join us to protest the price hike of all essential commodities by the Centre.quot;

In a meeting held by all the Left party affiliated and non-Left trade unions have decided to join the bandh on the 8th. However, their leaders hinted that the State units are consulting their respective Central leadership and any proposal by them regarding dates or any other plans would be considered.

Mukherjee CPM tool: Mamata

CALCUTTA: The Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday dismissed the INTUC and Left trade unions8217; call for general strike on Feb 8 as a plan to sabotage her party8217;s Brigade Parade Ground rally on February 108242;.

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Accusing the INTUC of allowing it to be used by the CPIM to foil its political programme, the Trinmool Congress leader said: quot;They have not shown any sensitivity towards the programme for another political party.quot;

She threatened that quot;if they have set a trend of disturbing political programmes of other parties, we also know how to retaliatequot;. The Trinamool leader has also accused Subrata Mukherjee of becoming a CPIM tool8217;.