Political parties should not do anything against the people's interest, noted economist Amartya Sen said on Monday.
"It is easy to call a bandh, because it takes place even if the majority of the people are against it," Sen said in a lecture in Kolkata while pointing out at the bandhs, which frequently plague West Bengal.
Bandhs were illegal as they impinged on the right of the majority of the population to livelihood and freedom of movement, Sen said while speaking on 'Economics, Politics and Our Lives,' organised by the Pratichi Trust.
There would be differences among the political parties, but they should not do anything that goes against the people's interest, he said, adding the government, on its part, should do its best to consult all the stakeholders.
He said political parties in the state should also turn a 'new leaf in politics'.
"In West Bengal, there is a need to turn a new leaf in politics. For this, there is need for cooperation among political parties. Otherwise, we cannot come out of the rut we are in."
Observing that such cooperation could have been effective if the state could ensure the basic rights of health and education, he said, "because these are not ensured for all, the cooperation is not taking place."
{{/usCountry}}Observing that such cooperation could have been effective if the state could ensure the basic rights of health and education, he said, "because these are not ensured for all, the cooperation is not taking place."
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