Starting from the CPM Politburo members Sitaram Yechury and Biman Bose to the state CITU general secretary Kali Ghosh, leaders disowned it as a CPM view and sought to describe it as Bhattacherjee’s personal opinion.

“The chief minister’s statement on bundh is his personal opinion and not that of the party,” Biman Bose told newsmen here while Yechury said the matter would be discussed at the Left Front meeting later.

Bhattacharjee’s statement has not found favour with his Kerala counterpart and CPM politburo member V S Achuthanandan. “I don’t believe that he said this. If he had, then it is wrong,’’ Achuthanandan told newsmen here in response to questions.

Bhattacharjee had said in Kolkata on Tuesday that he would not support bundhs and gheraos and that he would no more support such modes of protest even if his party gave a call for it. The Marxist stalwart said that it was part of the struggles highlighting problems faced by the common man.

According to sources, senior Left leaders are particularly hurt over a categorical remark from the chief minister.
“Unfortunately, I belong  to a political party as a result of which I am unable to speak out ..” Bhattacherjee is reported to have told a gathering of industrialists here on Tuesday.

“What is so unfortunate, belonging to the CPM or holding the responsible position of the chief minister?” a senior Left leader wondered aloud, insisting on anonymity.  “At least, he could have toned it down. We’ve not expected this kind of remark from a veteran politician like Bhattacherjee,” he added.

West Bengal CITU General Secretary Kali Ghosh said, “this is his personal belief and we have nothing to say against individual opinion.”

According to Forward Bloc secretary Ashok Ghosh, it is “unbecoming on the part of a senior Marxist to undermine workers’ rights”.

“It is amazing to note that Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has preferred to speak out against bundh at a time when workers’ rights are under attack in the capitalist world,” the octogenarian leader said.

However, the chief minister received support from unexpected quarter – state transport minister Subhas Chakraborty thanked Bhattacherjee for echoing his opinion and speaking out the truth.

CPI MP and AITUC general secretary Gurudas Dasgupta said: “It is very unfortunate, more so as he is a leader of the Communist movement. Strike is the last resort and it does not take place off and on. It also happens in industrialised nations”.