Bharat bandh: Success is a relative term

The success of the bandh called by the BJP-led NDA and other parties on Monday has infused a new life into the otherwise scattered opposition camp. Buoyed, NDA has decided to make more efforts for a broad-based opposition unity, particularly on crucial issues such as the civil nuclear liability bill pending before parliament.

Sharing the platform after the day’s developments, NDA chairman and JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav and BJP chief Nitin Gadkari termed the bandh a total success.

“All political parties joined the people in protesting the steep rise in prices,” Yadav said when asked if the Left parties made a common cause with NDA.

Emboldened by the response to the bandh call, the alliance has decided to hold further consultations with its constituents and other opposition parties for joint action against what they described as “the Centre’s wrong economic policies and rampant corruption.”

“I have requested Sharadji to convene a meeting of NDA partners in this context, so that a joint strategy could be drawn up to corner the government during the monsoon session of parliament,” Gadkari said.

Many senior NDA leaders, including Gadkari, Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and Yadav, courted arrest while leading protests in Delhi and Lucknow. CPI(M)’s Brinda Karat and CPI’s AB Bardhan and D Raja also courted arrest.

Apart from BJP and JD(U), the NDA rally in Chandni Chowk was attended by leaders of Akali Dal. Later, they were arrested by police along with hundreds of workers.

Barring minor incidents of violence, the day was peaceful in Delhi. Services at the inter-state bus terminus were affected in the morning, but traffic was normal in most parts of the city otherwise.