Protest march by BJP block roads in Raj Bhavan
Congress has called for a highway bundh on Tumkur, Mysore, Bellary and Hosur roads for an hour from 11 am today.
The political imbroglio in the state has started to take on toll on Bangaloreans, with a protest march by the ruling BJP holding up vehicular traffic on roads in the vicinity of Raj Bhavan for about three hours on Monday.
More trouble is in store for commuters as the opposition Congress, in an apparent counter offensive, has called for an hour-long highways bundh from 11 am, which is likely to stifle Bangalore on Tuesday.
The BJP staged the protest march demanding that the centre recall governor HR Bhardwaj, believed to have recommended the imposition of president’s rule in the state, after 10 out of 11 rebel BJP MLAs decided to support the party. Their decision came in the wake of the Supreme Court quashing their disqualification from the state assembly.
Announcing his party’s decision to block national highways, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G Parameshwar demanded that the centre accept the governor’s recommendation and sack the BS Yeddyurappa-led BJP government.
“Save the people of Karnataka from the misrule of the corrupt BJP,” he said, adding that the Congress would counter any BJP move against Bhardwaj.
Bellary Road, Mysore Road, Tumkur Road and Hosur Road would be affected by the Congress’ highways bundhs.Meanwhile on Monday, BJP’s almost impromptu protest march from Hotel Capitol on Raj Bhavan Road to MG Road caught motorists unawares.
Those who hit the roads around the Raj Bhavan and M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Queen’s Road and MG Road were stuck in traffic snarls for a long time, as traffic slowed down considerably after 11 am.
Vehicles—hundreds of them—ferrying BJP leaders started arriving on Raj Bhavan Road. The traffic woes continued till 2 pm.Police said several party workers too preferred their own vehicles, adding to the confusion, and compounding the hardship of ordinary commuters.