Bharat bandh receives good response in Karnataka; Cong-BJP workers clash in Udupi

BENGALURU: The Bharat bandh call given by the Congress and 20 other political parties against the BJP -led Union government over spiralling fuel prices evoked good response in Karnataka besides being peaceful barring a few incidents of clashes in coastal districts, the stronghold of BJP.

Business establishments and shops were completely shut in many places and partially open in others across the state. Public transport was severely hit as all the four road transport corporations had withdrawn buses from roads since morning. Holiday had been declared for schools and colleges, while the government offices of both state and Centre, functioned with skeletal staff.

Claiming success, KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao congratulated people for voluntarily observing bandh while BJP termed it a government sponsored bandh and people of Karnataka have failed it.

Though by and large peaceful, the bandh witnessed stray incidents of verbal duels and clashes between Congress and BJP workers in many places across the state with anti-Modi and pro-Modi slogans.

In Udupi, police had to resort to lathi-charge when both Congress and BJP leaders clashed near the superintendent of police office in Bannanje. The clash broke out when Congress workers tried to shut shops which were open at KSRTC bus stations.

When the situation seemed going out of control, SP Lakshman Nimbargi ordered lathi-charge. Several people including members of city municipality have sustained injuries and are being treated at a hospital. Police have clamped prohibitory orders in the town till Tuesday morning.

In Mangaluru, there was a verbal duel between the Congress workers and BJP MLA Vedavyas Kamatwhen the BJP workers tried to launch a counter protest. The situation was brought under control following interevention of police.

In Hubballi, JD(S) workers led by their leader Rajanna Koravi barged into the office of MP Prahlad Joshiand shouted slogans against the Union government and PM Modi. This led to a counter protest by BJP workers who sought arrest of Koravi and other JD(S) workers alleging that they used unparliamentary words against Joshi.

Congress workers staged dharnas across the state demanding Modi to slash petrol and diesel prices immediately while accusing him of forgetting promises he made during 2014 elections. In Mysuru, Congress MLA Tanveer Sait arrived at the protest venue in a bullock cart. In Hubballi, Congress workers prepared tea on roads using a wood fire to highlight the increase in LPG cylinder price.

In the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, the bandh received the good response. In Kalaburagi, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge led the protest..

QUOTE:

"The bandh call was politically motivated to mislead people with lies and not facts. In some places, there has been goondagiri by the Congress to enforce the bandh. Former PM H D Deve Gowda has spoken about vehicles cannot run on water. I would say a former PM should make responsible statements. He should advice his son that the state government is accruing Rs 25 per litre as taxes, who is responsible for this? Let the government respond to this,"-- BJP state president and opposition leader B S Yeddyurappa.