Durgapur, Sept. 24: An iron factory in Durgapur had to be closed down today after the management was “disgusted” with two Trinamul factions trying to pull its workers to their sides.

The factory’s owner Chandra Bhushan Sharma alleged that two Trinamul leaders from two wards had been coming to his factory separately since the party won the local civic polls in June and trying to drag the workers to attend meetings. “They are also placing their demands separately.”

“There was no union here since 2008. But for the past four months, two groups of local INTTUC leaders have been coming here and telling us they are official leaders in the area,” said Sharma.

Sharma added: They also take my workers in meetings frequently and disrupt work at the factory.

“If one faction comes in the morning, another lobby comes in the evening. Both of them submitted their demands separately. We are disgusted and have decided to close down the unit,” said K.C. Sharma, the owner’s son.

The Bhushan Polymers produces iron wares, 5.5 rods and nails and has 35 workers, all of whom are on contract and a daily wage basis. The factory produces 150 to 200 tones of the products per month.

Sharma said in June, one Bablu Ghosh who claimed to be a Trinamul leader in ward 28 of Durgapur had come to the plant and met him.

“He told me that he is the Trinamul leader in the area and he will represent the workers in my factory. I told them there was no union in factory since the past four years. But he said the time has changed and accused me of forcing employees to work beyond their capacity,” said Sharma.

Ghosh submitted a charter of demand that comprised a hike in the daily wage from Rs 175 to Rs 208.

“Within two days, another faction of Trinamul leaders from ward number 29 came to the factory with their demands.

“If I entertain one group, the other faction started to threaten us. The latest incident happened yesterday. Ghosh’s lobby came to the factory and took all the workers for a meeting. Within an hour, Trinamul leaders Rajender and Manik from ward 29 came and threatened us why we allowed the workers to attend the meeting in ward 28,” said Sajal Chandra, the factory manager.

Ghosh and Rajender were not available for comment but Trinamul mayor in council member and INTTUC Burdwan district president Prabhat Chatterjee said he would look into the matter.