George by her side, Didi again eyes strength in anti-Left unity

‘‘Marxists have been in power in the state for the past 25 years despite various misdeeds. To rid the people of this abysmal situation, we need to unite and forge a broadbased Left and democratic alliance,’’ she told party supporters.

Her supporters virtually took over major thoroughfares during the peak hours as they marched the streets with music bands. As the crowds swelled at the venue, the Brigade Parade ground, Mamata seemed to have forgotten her promise of not holding any such processions on a week day. Instead, she announced: ‘‘Such a gathering breathes fresh life into me,’’ even as NDA convenor George Fernandes heaped praises on her.

Fernandes said: ‘‘I have never seen such a janasagar (crowd). It is only Mamata who can draw such a mammoth crowd in Bengal.’’ Mamata was quick to return his compliment by calling him a ‘‘true fighter and the best friend of Trinamool Congress at the worst of times.’’

With more such bandhs and rallies on the cards, people in the city are far from happy. The Chambers of Commerce reiterated their fear that these rallies and the bandhs are certain to ‘‘send out wrong signals’’.

Nazeeb Arif of the Indian Chamber of Commerce said: ‘‘It is not a question of a day’s economic activity. Political parties fail to realise that by desisting from such disruptions, they can actually get more political mileage.’’ Arif recalled how Mamata had made a public statement of not holding any political programme on weekdays, a promise that she adhered to for some time.

Mamata’s priorities have clearly changed as she announced her support to a 12-hour Bangla Bandh called by the Party for Democratic Socialism (PDS) — floated by Saifuddin Chowdhury, former CPI(M) MP — on January 10.