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NEW DELHI/MUMBAI/CHENNAI: The BJP and the CPM will come together in a nationwide protest against hike in petrol prices on Thursday. Markets may remain shut and autos and taxis might go off the roads.
Residents of the Delhi may find many markets shut and fewer autos and taxis on the road today, with BJP workers staging demonstrations on arterial roads against the steep hike in fuel prices. The party claims it has the support of over 300 traders’ associations and several taxi and auto unions.

While the bandh has been called across India, the introduction of 5% VAT on CNG in Delhi budget is also an issue in the capital. On Wednesday, Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta held a padyatra in Connaught Place asking traders to support the bandh.

On Wednesday, Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta held a padyatra in Connaught Place asking traders to support the bandh. BJP has also decided to disrupt the ongoing budget session in the assembly. Police said that besides 35 extra companies of security personnel, another 50,000 cops would be out on the roads.

"We want to ensure that every major road has police presence. We are aware of a few protest spots and have the resources to rush in to control any situation. We warn people not to flout the law; those found rioting will be charged with destruction of public property," said a senior officer. Despite poor footfalls in the market due to rise in temperature, traders’ associations have decided to support the bandh. "We have to stand together. This government has become arrogant and is not concerned about the people, who are suffering. Everything — from food items to gadgets— has become expensive. Still there is no stopping the government from increasing the prices of petrol and CNG. In Delhi, CNG is going to be the main issue," said Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general of Confederation of All India Traders.

While most traders have decided to support BJP’s bandh call, some are said to be doing so out of fear. "We fear that the protestors might get violent if the markets are open. Not wanting to take chances, we have decided to close the market," said a trader from Khan Market. With more than 50,000 BJP workers expected to stage demonstrations at 100-odd locations, BJP is hopeful the government will be forced to rollback petrol and CNG prices. While BJP workers will protest outside, party MLAs are planning a stormy session in the assembly on Thursday.

Senas back bandh, Maharashtra talks tough

Undeterred by the Shiv Sena and MNS lending their political muscle to the BJP-called Bharat bandh over the steep hike in petrol price last week, the state government announced that it would be business as usual in Mumbai on Thursday. Nevertheless, local politicians expect trouble in saffron strongholds and the police have been deployed in full force.

Train services will run as usual and BEST has promised additional services if required. The same cannot be said for autos and taxis. While the bigger unions led by Sharad Rao and A L Quadros said their autos and taxis will ply, Sena-led unions have threatened to enforce the bandh.

"As long as the bandh is peaceful we have no objection. But if politicians indulge in violence and enforce it, we will not tolerate it," home minister R R Patil told TOI. On Wednesday, Patil held a marathon meeting with top police officials even as the saffron alliance charted their strategy to ensure that their bandh is a success.

Bandh expected to evoke poor response in Tamil Nadu

The nation-wide strike called by the NDA and Left parties on Thursday to condemn the hike in petrol price is unlikely to have much impact in Tamil Nadu with the state government taking steps to ensure maintenance of all essential supplies and services to the people.

However, autorickshaws might go off the roads as most of the drivers are affiliated to leftist trade unions.

Though a few milk dealers have supported the strike, sources in the state-owned Aavin said that measures have been taken to ensure uninterrupted milk supply.

"We have made all arrangements to have enough stock of milk in our parlours and outlets to ensure that the public will not be affected," a senior Aavin official said. Government sources assured that all hospitals and public transport will function as usual.

"The full fleet will be pressed into service in the city as well as across the state," an official from transport department said.

Police sources said additional personnel have been deployed at sensitive areas across the state to curb any untoward incidents.

Meanwhile, BJP state unit president Pon Radhakrishnan has appealed to all the political parties, commercial establishments and people of the state to support the bandh.

In a release, he said that since the hike in petrol price will test the patience of the people reeling under high inflation, the party had called for a nation-wide strike to condemn the UPA government move.