'Bharat' bandh evokes mixed response in Delhi

Delhi saw a mixed response to the bandh call given by NDA, Left parties and UPA supporters SP and JD(S) demanding a roll back in diesel price hike and FDI in multi-brand retail as some markets remained close, while movement of vehicular traffic was normal though protesters blocked traffic in some areas.

Private schools, shops and businesses establishments were shut in a number of areas, while government-run schools, colleges, offices and banks and Delhi Metro functioned normally.

Big markets like Karol Bagh, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Pahar Ganj remained closed throughout the day while shops and business establishments in Connaught Place, Bhogal, Laxmi Nagar, Defence Colony and South Extension were open.

Morning commuters were left stranded at number of places including in Vikas Marg, ITO and Chandni Chowk as protesters blocked traffic, marched through the roads and burnt effigies of UPA government.

Delhi Transport Corporation buses operated normally, while a number of auto rickshaw unions supported the bandh but the impact on the road was not visible.

BJP organised protests in number of areas in the city while top leaders of Samajwadi Party, Left parties and NDA constituents descended on Jantar Mantar in Central Delhi.

Left leaders Prakash Karat, A B Bardhan, Sitaram Yechury, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, TDP's Chandrababu Naidu, JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda courted arrest after holding a joint demonstration at Jantar Mantar. BJP leaders Nitin Gadkari and Murli Manohar Joshi also addressed a gathering.

While Delhi BJP claimed that bandh evoked "total support", Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said it did not have any impact in the city and expressed her gratitude to all Delhiites for ensuring normal situation in the city.

"Delhiites are mature enough to understand the ill effects of bandh. They are not at all interested in creating any such situation which may lead to disturbance in law and order and normalcy. The attitude of Delhiites have remained constructive. They keep themselves aloof from the efforts of political parties to derive political mileage out of any non issue," Dikshit said.

However, Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta claimed all citizens extended whole-hearted support to the bandh.

"People of Delhi whole-heartedly supported the 'Mahabandh'. It was a complete success," Gupta claimed. He said demonstrations were organised at around 100 locations in the city.

Delhi Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami congratulated DTC employees for ensuring normal bus service throughout the day. Goswami said as many as 4,844 buses operated today.

A group of BJP workers led by Gupta tried to march towards Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's residence but they were detained by police.

No untoward incident has been reported from any part of the city as large number of police personnel were deployed in all vulnerable areas.

"We have ensured that every major road has police presence," a senior police official said.