Bangla bandh will not be entertained, says CM Mamata Banerjee

A day after three opposition parties in West Bengal – Left Front, BJP and Congress united to call a ‘Bangla bandh’ – a 12 hour state-wide strike on April 30, the West Bengal Chief Minister hit back. She alleged that a bandh will not be entertained.
 
“A bandh destroys the economy of the state and the country. I am urging all the opposition parties not to resort to this bandh as this also disturbs the democracy of the country,” said Banerjee.
 
She urged the opposition parties to take out rallies or submit deputation instead of resorting to a strike. “Take out rallies, arrange for meetings and submit deputation. We will allow it, but we will not allow a state shut down,” added Banerjee.
 
This apart, she requested the people of Bengal to continue with their daily routine and not support this bandh. “Continue with your daily routine. Keep your store and business centres open and help the state government,” Banerjee said.
 
While addressing media persons here in the city, she took a dig at the erstwhile Left Front government. “The erstwhile Left Front government always resorted to such bandhs as a result of which, the economy of the state has been disturbed,” said the Chief Minister.
 
The West Bengal Left Front called a ‘Bangla Bandh’ – a state wide strike - for 12 hours on April 30. A day later, BJP and Congress agreed to support this bandh against the alleged rigging by the ruling Trinamool Congress in the recently held civic polls.