Mamata govt to oppose Jan 8 strike

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said her government would oppose the January 8 strike called by the Central Trade Unions (CTUs) even though it supported the issues they have raised.

The strike has been called by ten CTUs along with various sectoral independent federations and associations demanding scrapping of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), the National Population Register (NPR) and a proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC) besides a 12-charter of economic demands.

"There will be no strike or bandh (shutdown) in Bengal. What is the benefit of strikes and shutdowns? We want you all to continue a democratic movement," Banerjee said at Gangasagar in 24 Parganas South district.

The Chief Minister said her government was opposed to strikes or shutdowns. "Since the time we came to power, we have not backed bandhs, though we have supported the issues. Our protest will continue. We are on the side of the citizens, for the rights of the citizens. But why should we go for a strike?" she said.

"As it is the country is incurring economic losses. If on top of that a strike is organised, there will be a loss of thousands of crores of rupees. The country will suffer," she told mediapersons.

Banerjee said she did not want the people to be inconvenienced.

Banerjee and her party have launched a vigorous movement against the NRC, the CAA and the NPR by holding processions, rallies, street corners, public meetings across the state.

She has also time and again appealed to all parties and students and youths to join forces so as to launch a joint struggle against the centre's BJP led NDA government.

( With inputs from IANS )