CPIM, BJP have joined hands: Trinamool

"When we are agitating against the Centre's decision in our own way against issues like diesel price hike, putting a cap on subsidised LPG cylinders and allowing FDI in multi-brand retail, the CPI(M) and BJP have joined hands by calling a shut-down on the same day to derail the economy when West Bengal is trying to improve its economic conditions," state Panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee told reporters here.

"The CPI(M), which had virtually destroyed the state's economic backbone in its 30-year rule, has called the bandh to further destroy the state economically," Mukherjee said.

"It seems the CPIM has suddenly woken up from slumber," he quipped.

On the CPI(M) and the BJP having called the general strike on the same day, the senior Trinamool leader alleged the two parties were holding talks with each other in Delhi.

On Trinamool resorting to bandhs when it was not in power in past, Mukherjee said, "We had resorted to bandhs sometimes when we were in the opposition but later realised it was useless." (More)