Bharat Bandh called by the Left on demonetisation, today on a date combine opposition parties decided to observe as `Aakrosh Divas’ (Day of Angst) lashing out the Narendra Modi government’s demonetisation move, has led to weakening opposition unit. Congress party which was silent on bandh call, only yesterday made it clear that they are observing only a `protest day’.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Benerjee, who have been taking crucial role in cornering prime minister Narendra Modi on this issue, has strongly opposed bandh call. Moreover, JD (U), which was part of the parties given protest call, conspicuously kept away from the protests after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar hailed Modi’s move. The party also extended support to Modi’s initiative.
In most of the states, opposition parties took out separate protest rallies. Almost no where opposition tries to give a `united picture’. The bandh showed impact only in Kerala with ruling LDF backing the call. As a result life has come to standstill in the state. However, in remaining parts of the country normal life not affected.
It was business as usual in both the Telugu states, as Left failed to evoke response from educational institutions and business establishments. Ruling parties from both states – TRS and TDP – decided not to support the call for bandh. However, opposition parties organised widespread protests across two states.
Though the Congress party too stayed away from the bandh call citing inconvenience to traders, it staged protests and burned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s effigies at various places in both the states. The YSR Congress, main Opposition in Andhra Pradesh, along with the Left parties, tried to disrupt bus services and shut down shops at various places. However, the response to the bandh call was poor.
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