CPM allies smell pro-Modi move in Mamata's stand against September 2 strike

KOLKATA: At a time when Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is holding meetings with non-BJP political forces in Delhi to project herself as a secular political face, parties like RJD and JD(U) on Wednesday held a meeting with the CPM and raised questions about her tirade against the BJP. These parties, along with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), on Wednesday attended a meeting convened by the CPM at their state party headquarters on Alimuddin Street and alleged that Mamata was actually helping Narendra Modi's government at the Centre.

All these three parties decided to participate in campaigns against BJP under the leadership of CPM and other Left parties.

“Mamata Banerjee has targeted BJP.But taking a cue from the BJP, she and her government have decided to oppose the September 2 general strike called jointly by central trade unions, excluding Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh -BJP's trade union arm and Trinamool trade union in Bengal. By doing so, Mamata Banerjee is trying to send a signal to the Narendra Modi government and the BJP that she is with them,“ Bengal JD (U) president Amitava Dutta told ET after attending the meeting.

“Mamata Banerjee's opposition to BJP is nothing but an eye-wash. She knows that she would not get Muslim votes unless she raises her voice against the BJP.But in reality, she is helping the BJP indirectly and her opposition to the general strike is a clear example to that,“ he said.

Apart from these three parties, Communist Revolutionary League of India led by Asim Chatterjee also attended the meeting. CPM and 16 other parties including RJD, JD(U) and NCP have decided to launch a campaign in Bengal in support of the general strike by the central trade unions.

RSP central secretariat member Manoj Bhattacharjee told ET that they will organise human chains across the state in support of the strike on August 15. “On August 23, we will organise a sit-in-demonstration in the city for five hours and on August 31, a rally will be organised to mobilise public support in favour of the strike,“ Bhattacharjee added.