The main opposition parties have called a nation-wide bandh today to protest against the rising fuel prices. The bandh, called by the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and leftist parties. It is seen as a test of opposition strength as the ruling Congress party attempts to push ahead with key reforms in India.
The opposition parties describe the hike in petroleum products as "unjustified" and are demanding a rollback. Even as the opposition did not guarantee a rollback of prices after the bandh, the finance minister Pranab Mukherjee yesterday ruled out rollback of fuel prices.
Many flights were cancelled and trucks stayed off the roads throughout the country in response to the day-long strike.
The Mumbai police has stationed about 40,000 police personnel on the streets to avert any incidence of violence. The city police is being assisted by Rapid Action Force and state reserve police forces to maintain law and order. The Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena, MNS and other smaller non-Congress-NCP parties in Maharashtra are supporting the bandh called by the NDA and Left parties.
Do you support the Bharat bandh protesting against the rising prices of essential commodities? Do you think calling a bandh is the solution? How is the bandh affecting your daily life?
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