Holding the Congress-led UPA government responsible for the rise in the prices of essential commodities and the unprecedented hike in petrol prices, the Left parties and BJP-led NDA have joined hands to declare a nation-wide bandh on Thursday.
The Opposition onslought comes with the four Left parties declaring an all-India protest strike on Thursday which includes strikes, picketing, 'rasta roko' and rallies against the hike, and the BJP and allies declaring a Bharat Bandh.
Interestingly, the Left and BJP have attempted to rope in other non-Congress parties and some UPA allies which have strongly protested the hike.
BJP president Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday asked the UPA ally DMK — which has opposed the petrol price hike — to join the bandh on Thursday.
The Samajwadi Party, which is supporting the UPA government from outside, has also given the bandh call so has BJD in Orissa. The parties have demanded roll-back in petrol price hike.
This is the second time that the BJP, Left and other non-Congress parties are coordinating their agitations since the last Lok Sabha elections giving the impression of a wider Opposition unity on issues concerning people. A similar agitation against petrol price hike had happened on July 5, 2010.
“The UPA government has increased petrol prices on 18 to 19 occasions. Now even the rupee has fallen further. The situation is deteriorating in such a manner that we have reached the stage where we
may have to pledge our gold again. We would like all parties, opposed to the petrol hike, to join our protest,” Mr Gadkari told reporters.
The DMK had threatened that it may think of withdrawing support to the Congress-led UPA government due to this petrol hike. However, later DMK chief K. Karunanidhi clarified that the party will oppose the move while staying within the UPA.
The four Left parties have declared a bandh in Andhra Pradesh, while lending support to bandh and protest calls in other states where it does not have a significant presence.
All four Left parties-CPI(M), CPI, Forward Bloc and RSP have asked their state units to organise protests in all states. Kerala had observed bandh immediately after the hike in petrol prices.
NDA convenor Sharad Yadav said the Opposition parties do not believe in the statement of the government that it will not increase diesel and LPG prices. “Their argument that the government has no role in petrol price hike is an eyewash. People’s anger on the issue will be visible during the Bharat Bandh tomorrow. The Opposition is united on the issue,” Mr Yadav said.
CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said that the Left parties will continue the protests till the government reverses its decision on the petrol price hike. In Delhi, Narendra Modi’s bete noire Sanjay Joshi will lead the protest demonstrations near Akshardham temple. Central leaders will participate in protests in other places.
Delhi BJP has claimed that more than 250 traders organisation of the capital has assured full support of their respective organisations for Delhi bandh by the party on Thursday.