Tuesday’s strike called by farmers’ unions demanding repeal of the contentious farm laws of the Narendra Modi government has brought political rivals Trinamul Congress, Congress and the Left Front together with Mamata Banerjee’s party expressing support for “tomorrow’s movement” of the peasants.

“The issues on which the strike has been called has our support,” said minister and Trinamul spokesperson Chandrima Bhattacharya.

“Since 2011, we have always been asked to oppose strikes but the chief minister’s announcement on Monday should be considered as an exception and her keenness to express solidarity with farmers fighting against the farm laws of the Modi government,” a Trinamul source said.

The Left parties, however, saw in Tuesday’s strike an opportunity to assess the public mood on the farm law issue ahead of Assembly polls.

“We had called a strike on November 26 and in less than two weeks, we are campaigning in support of another strike. If the people respond positively on Tuesday, as they did on November 26, we will understand that our message has been conveyed to them,” a CPM leader said.

However, a section of Left leaders feels that with Mamata showing her solidarity with Tuesday’s programme, it would be difficult for them to assess the outcome of the strike.

Reacting to Mamata’s announcement, Congress state president and MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said: “If the CM was worried about the fate of farmers, she could have brought an ordinance in the Assembly and stopped implementation of the farm bills in the state. States like Rajasthan have done that.”

Trinamul leaders, however, said they preferred to be on the streets to oppose the laws. Trinamul has planned a three-day long sit-in demonstration in Calcutta from December 8 to protest against the farm laws.

“The demonstration will be led by MLA Becharam Manna and rallies will be taken out in all blocks of the state,” minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said.

The Left parties and the Congress will also take out a joint rally from Moulali in Calcutta on Tuesday to express solidarity with the strike.

“We are confident of the strike’s success and will take out rallies across the state in support of the farmers,” said All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee convenor and CPM leader Amal Halder.

Bengal BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya, however, criticised Mamata and said she had no moral right to speak for the farmers. “Farmers of our state are exploited by the middlemen and can never avail themselves of the promised MSP. The strike is an attempt to divert attention from important issues,” he said.

Donation

A canteen run by the CPM and local residents in Jadavpur donated Rs 80,000 to the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee on Monday. The canteen has been providing food packets at Rs 20 each to around 600-800 everyday for the past 250 days.

State convenor of the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee Amal Halder said: “I was overwhelmed that a canteen run with people’s support could contribute in such a big way to help the farmers’ protest.”