Ranchi, Dec. 2: Politicians in the state are eagerly awaiting the result of the tussle being played out in West Bengal between Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and Calcutta High Court.

Though most agree with Mamata?s stand that bandhs are constitutional, they would prefer that the right be exercised with discretion.

Without going into the merit of the unprecedented division bench order, directing the Trinamul Congress to call off its 12-hour bandh tomorrow, they said there could be other ways to protest and to communicate one?s stand to the government without calling a bandh and hampering day-to-day life.

Politicians here believe the common people themselves take to the streets if the issue is important and of public interest.

Rashtriya Janata Dal MLA from Koderma Annapurna Devi is unequivocal in her view that the court order should be respected.

?It is a constitutional right to call a bandh, but this is not the only way to protest. Bandhs have become a habit now. There are other ways of protests such as dharnas and demonstrations, which do not affect common people. We can and should evolve new ways of mobilising public opinion,? she said.

Mamata Banerjee is an MP and can well raise the issue on the floor of the House, Devi said, or hold demonstrations and dharnas.

She also pointed put that if the issue affects the majority of the people, there would be no need to impose a bandh.

?In 2001, the Union government contemplated changing the route of the Koderma-Giridih railway line, now under-construction, as it passed through reserved forests. Over 30,000 affected people demonstrated and ensured the route was not changed. If the issue which Mamata is concerned about is vital, she need not call a bandh, people will themselves support her demands,? she said.

Ranchi BJP MLA C.P. Singh also said he was against causing any inconvenience to the people by forcing a bandh on them or damaging property.

?The people should not suffer at any cost as ultimately bandhs are called in their interest. If politicians have the fundamental right to call for a bandh, they should also ensure they do not violate the fundamental right of others. If a bandh is called at all, people should be allowed to decide if they want to take part in it ,? he said.

Echoing Devi, he said, ?If the issue is of public interest, there is no need to use force. There have been times when people have spontaneously supported a bandh.?

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Rajya Sabha MP Stephen Marandi, whose party has also been directed by the court not to hold any bandh, however, said politicians would and should call a bandh if the issue is that important even if there is a court bar.

?There are times when a bandh becomes a need. For example, when we want to draw attention to police excesses or price-rise, but no reasonable person wants damage to property. Some unruly or anti-social elements damage property to defame a political party,? Marandi said.