WEB DESK
Congress and other parties call for Bharat Bandh today is likely to see support in several states where the BJP is not in power. these are south Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Regional parties, including the Janata Dal (Secular), or JD(S), in Karnataka, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu and Left parties in Kerala and elsewhere, have supported the bandh call.
The Bharat Bandh will be observed between 9am and 3pm. Congress workers are expected to organize sit-in protests at petrol pumps.
Public transport, educational institutions and government offices across several non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states are likely to be affected by the “Bharat Bandh” called by the Congress against rising diesel and petrol prices. Several states, especially in South India, where the BJP has little or no presence in terms of elected representatives, have come out in support of the Bharat Bandh call, which seeks to target the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The Bharat Bandh today is the first pan-India campaign through which the Congress is trying to lead a consolidated opposition against the BJP.
The Congress has tried to keep up the pressure on the Modi government over issues such as the Rafale fighter jet deal, demonetisation, a depreciating rupee and the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST), among others, to help mobilize public opinion against the BJP.
“The only focus of this government is to safeguard the interests of petroleum companies and not that of the common man,” said M.K. Stalin, the newly elected president of the DMK.
The Congress wants petrol and diesel to be brought under the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which would decrease the price “by Rs 15-18 per litre”. It also wants an immediate reduction in central excise duty and “excessive VAT” in states.
Congress leader Ajay Maken on Sunday said that close to “20 political parties” will take part in the protest.
Left Front Chairman Biman Bose called for a 12-hour strike from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday across West Bengal in support of the all India “protest hartal” and urged people in the state to make it a grand success.
The Congress and JD-S will also protest against the misuse of the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax office against opposition leaders.
Meanwhile, state governments across the country braced for the Bandh with senior officials reviewing the security measures and many states deciding to keep schools shut on Monday.
The BJP’s Tripura government has ordered all its employees to attend office on Monday and warned that strict action will be taken against absentees.
Acting Chief Minister and Revenue Minister Narendra Chandra Debbarma urged the people to reject the ‘bandh’ and warned that that the government would strongly deal with the situation.
Odisha’s ruling BJD said it will not support the Bharat Bandh. The party, however, said it is against the hike in fuel prices.