The hartal called by the BJP on Tuesday demanding the resignation of Finance Minister K.M. Mani in the bar bribery case was total and peaceful in Central Kerala. No incidents of violence were reported.
Public and private vehicles kept off the road. Only a few two-wheelers were seen on the road. Shops and other business institutions were closed.
In Thrissur, examinations of the universities and the adalat by the Kerala Water Authority were postponed. The camps for taking phones to issue ration cards were also postponed. Mattathur panchayat was exempted from the hartal in connection with the Moonnumuri Church festival. Addressing a protest meeting in the city, BJP district president A. Nagesh said the BJP was fulfilling a duty which should have been done by the Opposition in the State.
“The Opposition is taking a soft stand on the issue. This revealed the nexus between Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the Opposition. So, as a responsible party, the BJP is taking the duty of a real opposition,” Mr. Nagesh said.
The procession started from the Naduvilal junction ended in front of the corporation office. The hartal was total in Guruvayur. Buses, including KSRTC vehicles, did not conduct services. Two weddings ad 100 choroonu ceremonies were held at the temple. BJP activists took out a procession in the town. The procession started from Thamburan Padi and ended at West Nada.
BJP workers led by the Chelakkara panchayat committee took out a procession at Chelakkara. A procession was held at Cheruthuruthy among tight security. Processions were held at Chavakkad, Vallathole Nagar, Erumappetty, Kaipamangalam, Chentrappani, Punnayurkulam, Pavaratty, Mala and Chalakkudy.
Skeletal staff in offices
In Kottayam, government offices and banks functioned with a skeletal staff but business was almost nil, police said. Shops and other commercial offices also remained closed. Private buses remained off the road while two wheelers could be seen in large numbers. The KSRTC operated 15 services from Kottayam, two each from Changanassery, Vaikom and Pala, and one each from Ponkunnam and Erumeli depots the commencement of the hartal. Normal services would resume after the conclusion of the hartal in the evening, said Jomes Eapen, district transport officer.
BJP district president Ettumanur Radhakrishnan said the people had welcomed the hartal call as was evident by the disciplined manner it was conducted.
Commuters hit
In Alappuzha, commuters had to face difficulties with the KSRTC and private buses keeping off the road. Only a few private vehicles could be seen on the day. Boat services of the State Water Transport Department were not operated until 6 p.m. Several persons who had arrived at the Alappuzha Railway station by train were provided lifts in police vehicles.
The attendance at government offices remained low. All commercial establishments, barring a few pharmacies, remained shut throughout the day.
Although the supporters of the hartal blocked a few vehicles headed for the ongoing Kerala Science Congress at Pathirappally, no instance of violence were reported with the police ensuring adequate presence at various points.
