Kolkata: Finding no support from two other Left trade unions and with transporters withdrawing their strike, CPI-M labour union CITU on Sunday withdrew its July 31 strike call against fuel price hike.
The CITU strike was denounced by the Trinamool Congress government with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee warning of stern action against those participating in the agitation.
The Trinamool Congress was quick to observe that the "CPI-M had no choice but to withdraw the strike as it stood totally isolated by its partners."
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O` Brien in a statement said, "The CITU strike for Tuesday in Bengal has been called off. Bravo. The CPI(M) totally isolated by partners had no choice."
Banerjee had threatened to take "stern action" against those participating in the strike and threatened to cancel the licenses of private bus owners besides withdrawing subsidy to state transport corporations if they joined the agitation.
Admitting mistakes for calling strikes and shutdowns during her days as an opposition leader, the chief minister had appealed to the masses to foil the CITU-sponsored strike.
On his part, CITU state president Shyamal Chakraborty told reporters here today, "Left Front chairman Biman Bose has requested us to postpone the strike to protest against the fuel price hike as several other agitation programmes are lined up from August one against price rise."
PTI
