Left parties on Friday questioned the "sincerity" of the NDA government in addressing concerns of the working class, saying it made no move to start consultations with central trade unions even after the call for the nationwide strike was given.

They claimed the strike was a "tremendous" success having the involvement of over 18 crore workers.

"The #AllIndiaStrike called by all central trade unions (except Sangh Parivar’s BMS) involved more than 18 crore workers across the country.

"It was a tremendous success, as it brought into focus agenda of vast majority of our people subjected to relentless imposition of severe economic burdens," CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said in a Facebook post.

Yechury said though the strike was called by industrial workers, "entire gamut" of working class including shop owners, farmers and unorganised workers participated in the protest for variety of reasons.

Thanking the protesters for coming out in support of the issues of livelihood and dignity of working people and poor of the country, the Marxist leader said, "Even now, after the call of the strike was given, there was no move from the government to start consultations with the trade unions. That much for the sincerity of the BJP government about issues of the working class." 

He though hoped that the support garnered by the strike will awaken the Central government to the gravity of situation.

The CPI observed the protests as the "most successful" general strike and claimed there was a "bandh-like" situation in many states as employees attached to banks, insurance companies, telecommunication players, coal, steel and mining sectors went on strike, besides state transporters.

The party also urged the government to start discussions with the CTUs and solve their "justified" demands as early as possible.

Normal life in various parts of the country was partly affected by the strike with banking, transport and coal mining being among the most impacted, while hundreds of workers were detained in Haryana, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

While some states like Kerala and Telangana were badly hit by the strike, the impact was partial in Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra. However, life remained normal in metropolitan cities of Mumbai and Delhi.