Stating that shutdowns served no purpose, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday asked the Left parties to withdraw their September 20 general strike, even as she said her Trinamool Congress (TMC) will go on a nationwide stir to demand a roll back of hike in diesel prices and FDI in retail.
"Some parties have called shutdown in protest but I do not think there is any need for such a step. Problems cannot be solved through shutdowns but they are solved by taking decisions, which we have taken," said Banerjee while announcing her party's decision to withdraw support from the UPA government at the centre.
"We will oppose any move of strike and urge the common people not to be a part of it. We are already under huge debt and a shutdown causes a loss of nearly Rs. 2,000 crore. So please do not support a shutdown," added Banerjee.
"I urge all the political parties which have called the shutdown to withdraw it for the sake of the state," she said.
She also said her decision to withdraw support should not be a reason to celebrate for other parties.
The Left Front on Sunday had announced its decision to observe a 12-hour general strike in West Bengal September 20 to protest against the diesel price hike and allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail.