CITU to corner CPM after polls

Even as the CPI(M) leadership is firm in pushing ahead with economic reforms in West Bengal, its trade union arm, the CITU, is waiting for the Assembly election to be over to turn the heat on the party.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's statement on Wednesday against militant trade unionism has only added fuel to the fire. CITU leaders said they would take up the issue immediately after the election.

State CITU had submitted a memorandum to the state government three months ago for its failure to implement labour laws. The issue would figure prominently in post-election talks, CITU leaders said.

In a press conference, Bhattacharjee had said it was the responsibility of the Left Front government to set up industries in the state, for which he had to befriend industrialists.

"I cannot tell them (industrialists) not to come to the state just because we are Communists. We are not fools. We have to be realistic. I cannot close down industries with militant trade unionism,'' Bhattacharjee had said. He was following capitalism as he could not implement socialism, he had conceded.

Piqued by the remarks, CITU President and CPI(M) Politburo member MK Pandhe today said trade unions did not drive out industries.

"Which industries in West Bengal went out due to us? Largest number of industrial units have closed down in Maharashtra where there is very little trade unionism. It is wrong to say that industries close down because of us," he said.

On Bhattacharjee's remarks, Pandhe snapped, "Ask the chief minister why he said so...If they (West Bengal government) do anything against the working class, we will not keep quiet. Trade unions have played an important role in bringing this government to power. Ours is a workers' party."

CPI General Secretary AB Bardhan supported Bhattacharjee, saying, "West Bengal is not out of India. Whatever the government of India does, be it Budget-making or economic policies, the state government has to follow. He is right that the state government has to work under the capitalist system. Socialism is our goal but it's the capitalist system which is prevalent today."