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Business News/ Politics / Policy/  Mamata Banerjee opposes trade union strike planned for 2 September
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Mamata Banerjee opposes trade union strike planned for 2 September

Mamata Banerjee says the TMC government will make all arrangements to make sure bandh supporters can't disrupt public life

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee addressing students during the Trinamool Congress’ student arm foundation day celebrations in Kolkata on Friday. Photo: PTIPremium
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee addressing students during the Trinamool Congress’ student arm foundation day celebrations in Kolkata on Friday. Photo: PTI

Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said her government would oppose the bandh, or general strike, called by central trade unions on 2 September.

Ever since she came to power in 2011, Banerjee has opposed such disruptions. On Friday, she went a step further by saying her government would compensate for damages if any to public transport, shops and other establishments if bandh supporters attacked them. 

Addressing a rally to mark the foundation of the Trinamool Congress’ student arm, Banerjee said her government will make all arrangements to make sure bandh supporters couldn’t disrupt public life. Vehicles will ply and shops will remain open, she added.

In her bid to attract investments into West Bengal, Banerjee has often spoken about her “zero-tolerance" towards general strikes. She has claimed several times that she has rid the state of bandhs and loss of production due to disruptions. Frequent strikes and labour unrest cost the state a great deal of credibility previously.

Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM leader and legislator Sujan Chakraborty said the strike has been called to oppose the central government’s “anti-people policies". The bandh is backed by CPM and other Left outfits.

Chakraborty said Banerjee must clarify whether she is with the people or backing the Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP-led government tacitly.

Banerjee's differences with the BJP are unreal, according to Chakraborty. It’s a charade intended only to shape public perception, he alleged. By opposing the strike, it is coming out in the open that she secretly supports the Centre, he added.

On 2 September, all central trade unions, except the BJP-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, have called for a nationwide strike. Last year too, the trade unions had observed a similar strike on the same day to press a 12-point charter of demands.

The West Bengal government last year cut salary of government employees who didn’t turn up for work.

CPM’s Chakraborty said Banerjee is applying “force and fear" across all levels to snuff out opposition in the state, and that she may do this again on 2 September.

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Published: 26 Aug 2016, 08:23 PM IST
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