Kolkata (PTI): Trinamool Congress on Friday alleged the hike in prices of essential goods was the result of a 'package deal' between Congress and CPI(M).

"Congress and CPI(M) have made a package deal to raise prices. While Congress hiked the prices of petrol, diesel and gas, CPI(M) raised the price of electricity, edible oil, vegetables and foodgrains," TC chief Mamata Banerjee said at the annual open session of Kolkata Municipal Corporation Employees' and Workers' Union.

Referring to Wednesday's Rajya Sabha elections in the state in which the Trinamol's candidate for a seat was defeated by the candidate put up jointly by Congess and Left Front, she said "Congess and CPI(M) have voted against us. Theirs is a joint venture. They are against us because we are for the people."

Banerjee said "since our party was formed in 1998, we have been saying that Congress is the B-Team of the CPI(M). Now, it has been proved that Congress is CPI(M)'s A-Team."

Claiming that her party was fighting its political battle alone, she said "there is no one with us. We are having to fight against money power, muscle power and two governments -- the Centre and the state government."

She claimed Congress and CPI(M) were influencing a section of the media against her party. "It is sad to see that the media which once used to speak out for the people have been bought off. We cannot express our views because we do not own any newspaper or channel."