The recent criticism came just before Mamata was to fly to Delhi to take part in a meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Manmohan.

A day earlier, the Railway minister had held the Union Home department for responsible for not being very active in stopping Maoist violence in West Bengal .

“The Union government is equally responsible for the escalating prices. The state government also has its role to play,” said Mamata at her Kalighat residence.

Trinamool Congress chief also criticised the Union government for the role of the central forces in Lalgarh, claiming that the joint police operations have had no effect.

“I have organised movements against price rise before. I have also raised the issue in the Union Cabinet meetings. I will always be vocal about price rise,” Mamata said.

She suggested the Prime Minister should convene a meeting of all chief ministers to try and find a solution to curb price rise. “I will again talk to the Prime Minister on the issue,” Mamata added.

The West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC), meanwhile, had a measured response to the developments. WBPCC working president Pradip Bhattacharjee said: “We are listening to everything and closely watching the situation here. After discussion with senior leaders we will comment.”