Tensions ran high as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hardened her stance on Thursday's bandh called by all the Opposition parties, including the trade unions, to protest against the rampant violence and rigging in the just concluded municipal elections, in which the ruling Trinamool Congress romped home with amazing majority.
Amid complaints of large-scale violence and capturing of booths, the TMC polled more than 80 per cent votes and won almost 80-85 per cent seats in the 92 civic boards that went up for the grabs. Out of them, the Trinamool won 70 boards. The left bagged six, while the Congress clinched five boards. Rest were hung houses.
A livid Chief Minister on Wednesday said her "Government is committed to promote work culture and will not tolerate any nonsense called bandhs. So we will resist any such misadventure by the people with full force." Her party workers would descend on the streets to ensure that the there was no bandh, Banerjee said.
"Our workers will hit the streets and give the people confidence to open their establishments and the Government will compensate for whatever loss they suffer on account of any damage done by the Opposition," she said.
The Government cancelled leaves and issued circular directing employees to report for work. Any absence without valid reason would amount not only to pay-cut and disciplinary action but also breakage in service, the circular said. "DMs and SPs have been asked to ensure presence in all the Government and Government-aided institutions" senior IAS officer Alapan Bandopadhyay said.
The Opposition left met Government's hard stance with equal amount of belligerence even as Citu leader and CPI(M) Rajy Sabha Member Shyamal Chakrabarty said, "If the Government is bent upon a direct confrontation then so be it. We shall face each other on the streets if the rights of the working class are stifled. If the people hit back then they will have no place to escape."
BJP's Samik Bhattacharya asked, "If the Trinamool Congress which has won overwhelming majority was so sure of its popular base then why doesn't it leave it upon the people to decide whether they want to take part in the bandh."
With both the sides hardening their stances on the issue, Bengal could witness more violence on Thursday experts said. Though INTUC was a party to the bandh, the Congress had not officially backed it.
