Notwithstanding the support extended by the Trinamool Congress, the 12-hour bandh called in West Bengal on Friday by the Party for Democratic Socialism (PDS), a breakaway group of the CPI-M, evoked a partial response.
The bandh was called to demand lowering of power tariffs and court fees.
Although no untoward incident was reported from any part of the state, nearly 200 bandh supporters were arrested from different areas for obstructing rail and road traffic.
Official sources said state government offices recorded 80 per cent attendance, while that in central government offices was 50 per cent. Business establishments, banks and the stock market were open.
Government buses, trams, the Metro Rail, private buses and minibuses operated as usual in the metropolis. Transport services in the districts was also normal.
Train services were almost normal save minor disruptions in some areas.
Shops and markets in several areas, however, downed shutters and educational institutions remained closed. Except for four courts, including that of the chief justice, Calcutta high court remained paralysed due to absence of court officers.
Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee said 'it was like any other working day'.
Inspector-General of police (Law and Order) Chayan Mukherjee said 104 bandh supporters were arrested in different districts for trying to enforce the bandh. Kolkata police sources said that nearly 100 PDS supporters were arrested in Kolkata.
There was a partial response to the bandh call in various parts of the state, including Siliguri, Midnapore and Kalyani. Bandh supporters tried to stop trains in Kalyani, but police prevented them from causing any serious disruption in services.
Over 50 PDS supporters were picked up from the party office's in Bowbazar area in Kolkata for trying to block Central Avenue and College Street.
The Trinamool Congress, which extended moral support to the bandh, said the people had registered their no-confidence against the ruling Left Front by 'spontaneously' responding to the bandh call.
Accusing the LF government of 'all-round failure', TC chief Mamata Banerjee demanded that the state government publish a white paper listing the achievements during its 25-year-rule.
The Congress also said that the people had registered their protest against the 'anti-people' measures taken by the Left Front government.
Expelled CPI(M) leader Saifuddin Chowdhury, who heads the PDS, claimed that more than 1,000 supporters were arrested in Kolkata and the districts, including Purulia and Hooghly, when they took to the streets appealing to the people to participate in the bandh.
Appreciating the Trinamool's support to the bandh call, Chowdhury said, "We hope to continue this co-operation."
Referring to his party's first major anti-government political programme since the PDS was floated before the last assembly election, Chowdhury claimed that the bandh was a 'great success'.
