The Central Vegetable Market near Mattuthavani wore a deserted look on Wednesday on the eve of Ayudha Puja, as vegetable traders stayed away from it, condemning conviction of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam supremo Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case.
“Usually the business is good on the eve of Ayudha Puja. But, this year, we decided to forgo the business because of the conviction,” said R. Nagasamy, a trader. Only a very few vendors were seen at the market, selling vegetables left unsold on Tuesday.
According to M. Kathiresan, another trader, they had planned the strike on Tuesday. “However, vegetables were on the way to the market and we could not return them. So the strike was called on Wednesday at the markets in Mattuthavani and Paravai,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I came to the market on Wednesday hoping to buy vegetables and stay at home on the day of the puja on Thursday. Now I either have to visit Uzhavar Sandhai or come again tomorrow,” said R. Pushpa Poorna from Anna Nagar.
Mr. Nagasamy said prices of vegetables were likely to rise on Thursday due to demand. But prices remained stable in other markets on Wednesday. K. Arumugam, Agriculture Officer at Uzhavar Sandhai, said one kilogram of brinjal was sold for Rs.18, small onion (shallot) for Rs.27, Bellary onion for Rs.20 and tomato for Rs.18.
Jasmine price upADVERTISEMENT
The price of jasmine has, however, doubled ahead of the puja. One kilogram of jasmine was sold at Rs.800 at the flower market in Mattuthavani on Wednesday. “On Tuesday, it was sold at Rs.400. The price may not escalate further on Thursday,” said T. Selvarani, a flower vendor.