Mamata Banerjee calls general strike a failure in West Bengal

Claiming that the nationwide general strike called by 11 trade unions has not been able to garner good response in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday said the strike has been a failure as the common people of the state have not responded to the call.

“There is no strike at all, everything is open. All the buses, trains, taxis are running. The flights have also operated totally according to schedule. The presence of government employees in the offices has been near about 100 percent,” said Banerjee while addressing mediapersons at the state secretariat Writers’ Building.

The striking trade unions include the left labour arms CITU, AITUC, UTUC, AIUTUC and Congress trade union wing INTUC, besides the BMS, HMS, TUCI and NLO, which have joined forces in support of a ten-point charter of demands.

Banerjee blamed supporters of the Left Front and the BJP for trying to create tension in the state in order to enforce the strike.

“We are very happy with the attendance. Throughout West Bengal, life has been normal. In some places, CPI-M and BJP have tried to create violence. There have been incidences of ransacking of buses and shops. The administration will take appropriate action against them,” she said.

“It was a normal working day in the Coal India office, the ports, the industrial belt, the mint. The agricultural work went on unhindered. Trains, flights, buses, and taxis – everything moved normally. Most of the shops are open,” the chief minister said.

Banerjee alleged that the previous Left Front government used to ensure the success of strikes by pulling out government buses and trams.

“The previous government used to ensure the success of strikes and shutdowns. The government employees were left with no other option other than skipping office. But this time, as we provided all facilities, there has been hundred percent attendance,” she added.