Since the Nandigram fiasco, there were reports that a big chunk of the union members are leaving the Coordination Committee, the body which enjoys unchallenged domination in the corridors of power.

A section of employees attended the rally in the afternoon during office hours, which was addressed by Bhattacharjee.

The chief minister, who had been critical of their performance earlier, today said: “The employees are doing their job properly. They are punctual and committed to their duty.” About a fortnight ago, he had asked State Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta to issue stringent orders to ensure timely attendance.

“I have reports that the employees are coming to office in proper time. It would not have been possible to implement the attendance order, if the employees had not cooperated,” said Bhattacharjee.

Ananta Banerjee, secretary of the committee, meanwhile, claimed that their supporters have joined the rally by taking a half-day casual leave. “We never shirk duty,” he said.

Apart from the recent order regarding attendance, the employees have several other reasons to raise their voice against the CPM-backed union. “Down the years, we have paid Rs 4 per month to the committee fund and enjoyed a duty of four hours a day — noon to 4 pm. How can it be changed overnight,” said a leader of the opposition union.

For the last two years, cutting across party lines, employees have joined hands to throw the state secretariat into total chaos. The Mahakaran Sangram Committee — a cluster of 10 organisations — had been created as an anti-CPM forum with the backing of Naxals, the SUCI, Trinamool Congress and the Congress. It has dealt a massive blow to the government. According to an estimate, at least 40 per cent Coordination Committee members have already left the union to join the opposition camp.

“Initially, there were some reports that a section has joined the opposition camp, but now it has been controlled,” said Manoj Guha, joint secretary of the committee.