“Our party (Congress) always respects the right to agitate, but not by paralysing emergency services like water supply and fire services in the name of strike. This is not right and the CPM should understand that,” Dasmunsi said at an INTUC rally held in the city.

Dasmunsi, who too was hassled by the strike when he landed at the Dum Dum airport, said, “It is our policy to develop the infrastructure of airports in the country through private help. But I can assure you that none of the employees will lose their jobs. They will be retained in the airport built with private partnership.”

He also lambasted the Left Front government and Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee over the issue of land acquisition for setting up industries in the state.

“We welcome the Tatas and the Jindals. But they should negotiate directly with the landowners, farmers on their own. Why the Jindal model was not followed in Singur is a question which the government has no answer,” Dasmunsi added.

He further accused the Left parties of turning against the farmers and workers, which once formed the basis of the party’s organisation.

Taking a dig at Bhattacharjee, Dasmunsi said the Chief Minister is helpless and ignorant and everyone shows him sympathy and compassion.