Thursday’s bandh against the Manmohan Singh government’s new economic measures — increase in diesel price, restricted supply of LPG cylinders and FDI in multibrand retail — drew a mixed response with life being disrupted in a majority of Opposition-ruled States, and Delhi and Mumbai largely reporting normal business. The impact was felt the most in Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka and Gujarat, where the BJP is in power. Reports of large-scale disruptions came in from Uttar Pradesh, where the bandh was enforced by the ruling Samajwadi Party.
The bandh was called by the BJP and eight other parties, including the Left and the SP. The protests produced many twists. The SP, which was on the streets protesting against the government, was expected to bail out the same regime post the exit of the Trinamool Congress.
In Chennai, the DMK, a vital component of the Union government, joined the strike while the AIADMK was non-committal on the call. In response to questions on the bandh, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had told reporters on Wednesday that she was more focussed on the Cauvery issue. Another ally of the UPA government that joined the protest was the Janata Dal (S).
The shutdown was near-total in Kolkata despite Mamata Banerjee’s rejection of the “politics of bandh.” Ironically, it was the West Bengal Chief Minister’s decision to pull out of the UPA government that acted as a trigger for the Opposition to unite against the reforms. The Left took to the streets in larger numbers but so did the Trinamool Congress, whose functionaries insisted that their protest was against the bandh.
In the national capital, the Opposition was in full attendance at the official protest site — Jantar Mantar. SP chief Mulayam Singh and Left leaders Prakash Karat and A.B. Bardhan courted arrest as did the Telugu Desam Party’s N. Chandrababu Naidu and H.D. Deve Gowda of the JD (S).
A highlight of the day was the coming together of BJP chief Nitin Gadkari and Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and Mr. Bardhan. Hitting out at the government amid ringing slogans of “roll back FDI,” Mr. Gadkari said the Prime Minister was “factually wrong” in claiming that FDI in retail would create employment. Mr. Bardhan said while the Left and the BJP were ideological opponents, they were “united” when it came to fighting for the interests of the common people.
Keywords: Bharat bandh, FDI in retail, fuel price hike, UPA government
All were aware would be general Bandh called by all opposition parties against recent announcements by congress party at the centre,
In chennai life was normal in some areas.Flow of traffic was not fully
affected as seen by us in the very busy sterling road.But today 21st
we could not see in sterling road any traffic at all from 8 am due to so many reasons
We wondered whether the protestors are aware of the sufferings of chennai Tamnot known to public or announced by the authorities.The tamilnadu Tamilians are very much affected by this and we saw children,women ans seniors walking in the hot sun to reach their destinations.
We come to know that there was some protests in front of the Ceylon high commission office in sterling road causing this hardship to all.ilians due to their protests now and then.
Citizens are unable to understand why our major political parties are not ready to agree to put in place right policy about fixation of prices of petroleum products. Such a policy would have also to consider the case for specific duties and taxes instead of taxes calculated as percentage of some value. Are the political parties not aware of the rising crude price in international market? Are they not aware of the fact that crude oil imports are affecting our balance of trade and balance pf payments? Depreciated Rupee is another worry.
Today’s Bandh will not achieve anything. The bandh may help the parties to fool the public and get more votes. But, one thing is clear the bandh has not enhanced their image as responsible political parties.
The comments made by the leaders that the decision to open FDI in retail
and aviation was to please the American bosses stands true,With the US
Presidential elections round the corner and the likes of US MNCs
pressurising the US government to coerce India to open up its retail
industry and the lobbying has paid off, now either of the Presidential
candidates will stand benefited from the campaign money to be pumped in
by the Retail MNCs
Please Email the Editor