Left supports Mamata on fare hike rollback

Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee Thursday received support from an unexpected quarter when Left leader Gurudas Dasgupta told the Lok Sabha she had “every right” to demand a rollback in railway fare hike in view of the burden on the common man.

“Mamata has every right to ask for a rollback,” Dasgupta, who was referring to speculation that Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi had resigned after his party leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee opposed his budget proposals to hike passenger fares.

“In view of the inflation, increase in fares of railway is not good for the common man,” Dasgupta said, supporting Banerjee, otherwise a staunch opponent of Left parties in West Bengal.