In what could strain the equation between two partners of the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance, the Bengal Government upon the instruction of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sealed borders between Jharkhand and her own State saying that the measure was taken to protect the incoming vehicles from flood that had inundated large parts of southern Bengal including the national highways.

Thousands of trucks loaded with perishable products, vegetables and other items were stranded for the past more than 24 hours at various entry points in West Midnapore, Birbhum and other areas affecting business sources said.

"We have been inundated by the DVC … now we don't want the vehicles that are coming from other States to get swept away … so let the borders with Jharkhand be sealed for three days," Banerjee said.

Political circles however said that the Chief Minister was "trying to teach lessons to the DVC

and its boss the Centre." Opposition BJP said that her action would however boomerang on her.

State Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari said that "the routes that have been stopped joins rest

of India with the North East … if this continues then essential supplies will get disrupted

affecting business worth hundreds of crores … and Mamata Banerjee will held responsible for

that … if the borders are not opened by 2 pm we will write letters to Home Minister Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari and the Bengal Governor to take appropriate measures … we cannot allow a Chief Minister to act like a Prime Minister as she is thinking herself to be."

Though there was no immediate from political authorities in Jharkhand sources said that the Soren Government in that State might not sit quiet for long if the business interests of that State get hampered.

"Pear which is extensively grown in Jharkhand worth crores are rotting in trucks … apple from Himachal Pradesh bound for Kolkata and potato … besides other perishable products are rotting because of some political issues … we don't want to get our business hampered … the truckers are agitating as they will not get the fare even if the products get spoilt … the Government must do something immediately or we will hit the streets," said businessmen in Kolkata.