Hazare supporters burn effigy of UPA government in Pune

Activists of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) on Wednesday burned the effigy of the Union government near the district collector’s office as a mark of protest for the treatment meted out to the anti-corruption crusader, Anna Hazare.

However, the bandh called by different organisations failed to evoke any response in Kolhapur city.

The SSS leader and MP from Hatkanangale, Raju Shetty, led the agitation. They also distributed roses to the staff in the collector’s office, requesting them to support the anti-corruption campaign.

Shetty said he would support the civil society’s Lokpal Bill in parliament, even though he is not in favour of bringing the prime minister and Supreme Court judges in its ambit.

The Republican Party of India’s different factions, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan, Youth against Corruption and different social groups’ activists in the city gathered in large numbers in front of the collectorate.

In Satara, Vyasan Mukta Sangh and Warkari Mahamandal took out a protest rally. A bullock cart carrying a tableau of the UPA government was the main attraction.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists courted arrests in Satara city, while bandhs were observed in Medha, in Jawali taluka, and Koparde-Haweli in Karad taluka.