At a time when the state government is dealing with the fallout of the Lalgarh and Mangalkot stalemates, the Left government has faced another blow, this time from its own wings.

All the three major outfits of vehicle operators backed by the CPM have decided to join hands with the Trinamool and Congress-supported associations over the vehicle ban issue. They have called an indefinite strike in the transport sector from Friday, which is is likely to paralyse Kolkata and four adjoining districts of North and South 24-Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly.

Sources in the Transport department said since the government would not negotiate with the associations, the threat of an indefinite strike causing harassment to commuters looms large.

Recently, all five transport operators’ associations came together and formed the Save Commercial Vehicles Committee, led by Trinamool leader Madan Mitra. The CPM-backed Joint Council of Bus Syndicate and Bengal Taxi association also joined Mitra to resist government’s green vehicle drive.

“I know some of them are CPM members, but the committee has no political colour,” said Mitra.

CPM sources said the Joint Council of Bus Syndicate and Bengal Taxi Association were wings of the party. Though they were not affiliated with the CITU, the CITU had been controlling them. Terming these associations reactionary, Kali Ghosh, CITU state secretary, said, “They must follow the government directive and High Court’s order.”

Rabindra Nath Saha, a leader of the bus owners’ associations, said the CPM-backed unions joined the agitation because they want the government to reconsider its decision. “We have come together to ensure that our business runs smoothly and we are willing to indulge in politics, if necessary,” said Saha. All the associations met on Monday to discuss their plans to put more pressure on the government. The strike will be extended throughout the state if the government did not change its stance, a leader said.