By IANS,
Kolkata : Holding aloft lanterns and candles, Trinamool Congress activists hit the streets here Sunday, protesting against the frequent power cuts in West Bengal.
“We decided to take out lantern rallies in and around Kolkata to protest against the ruling Left Front’s failure to provide the people with even a basic necessity like electricity,” senior Trinamool leader Madan Mitra, who led the rally, told IANS.
“The rallies are being organised by local party leaders to create awareness among people about the state of affairs under the Left Front’s misrule. We will also organise a central rally here Monday,” Mitra said.
After incessant downpour and inundation in some West Bengal districts, the state is now reeling under severe power shortage with wet and poor quality coal impacting power generation at thermal power stations.
The supply of coal has also drastically fallen forcing the power companies to resort to phased power cuts to spread the shortage evenly.
“There will be around 45 rallies across Kolkata Sunday. Our party supremo Mamata Banerjee could also lead tomorrow’s (Monday) central rally from the city hub – Esplanade. Many people from Kolkata’s adjoining districts will also participate in the rally,” he said.
“We’re carrying lanterns, candles and posters with us in the rally to project the dismal power situation in the state. The protest programme against power cuts will continue for next three days across West Bengal,” Mitra said.