Soon after the Centre announced its decision to raise fuel prices, Left parties slammed the move calling it an “unjustified burden” on the common man. They announced weeklong agitations across the country against what they called an “onslaught” on the people and demanded a rollback of the price hike. The Left will mobilise the people to conduct hartals, strikes, picketing, blocking rail and road traffic and hold demonstrations.

In Kolkata, fresh from a vote erosion at last month’s panchayat polls, the CPI(M) was quick to grab its plank for the general elections by calling a statewide bandh for 12 hours beginning 6 am on Thursday. The shutdown will also be held in Kerala and Tripura.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Bannerjee followed it with an announcement of a 24-hour bandh on Friday. She said the CPI(M) had no moral right to call a bandh. “They should withdraw support to the UPA if they have guts,” she said.

So, from dawn on Thursday, West Bengal will go into a holiday mode for five days. First, the bandh on Thursday and Friday, followed by Saturday and Sunday when state Government offices are closed. Monday (June 9) happens to be Jamai Sasthi — the son-in-law’s day. There is a trend of people staying away from offices to celebrate the day.

“The Left parties have demanded from the UPA Government a review of the decision on the price hikes,” Left leaders Prakash Karat (CPI-M), A B Bardhan (CPI), Debabrata Biswas (Forward Bloc) and T J Chandrachoodan (RSP) said in a joint statement in New Delhi.

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