One day ‘Bharat Bandh’ call given by opposition Congress party against rising fuel price is going on in the two Telugu states. Various political parties and several chambers of commerce and traders’ bodies have backed its ‘Bharat Bandh’ call. Major businesses, public services and traders’ association are not functioning on Monday following calls of ‘Bharat Bandh’ by the Congress in protest against the BJP-led NDA government’s inability to curb the rise in fuel prices and the falling value of the rupee.
While the shutdown has remained peaceful so far some people who participated in the agitation were detained as they tried to enforce the bandh by stopping State Road Transport Corporation buses. In the districts of Telangana as well Andhra Pradesh states, ‘Bharat Bandh’ evoked mixed response today. Some agitators were taken into custody as they attempted to take out rallies with their supporters.
Opposition Congress accused BJP of favouring industrialists. A Congress leader said, “It is very unfortunate that in the national executive meeting of the BJP, discussions were held only on elections and how they could be won using management. No discussions were held on the plight of the people who are facing spiralling prices of petrol, diesel and LPG. This shows the anti-people mindset of the BJP”.