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Success in Bengal thickens Cong-Left bond, nation-wide strike against price rise planned

A 24-hour general strike in West Bengal called by the Indian National Trade Union Congress with support from Leftist trade unions and parties in protest against the price rise evoked wide response today.

This prompted the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist and a section of the opposition Congress to further launch joint movements against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre.

CPI-M state committee general secretary Anil Biswas said in Calcutta that his party was considering a joint movement with the Congress against price rise and other ''anti-people'' policies of the Vajpayee government.

''Talks have been initiated between the leaders of both parties and, if necessary, an all-India strike could be called over the issue,'' he said.

The trade union wings of the CPI-M, the CPI and the Congress which sponsored today's strike, also called for a national-level dialogue for a joint movement against the Centre.

''Political differences have become redundant in view of the onslaughts of economic liberalisation and price rise. There is no other option before the workers but to launch joint agitations, irrespective of one's political affiliation,'' INTUC leader Susbrata Mukherjee and Centre for Indian Trade Unions general secretary Chittabrata Majumdar said.

Both the leaders emphasised on an urgent need for initiating dialogue at the national level for a unified movement.

UNI

Business News

West Bengal