Shiv Sena won’t enforce NDA’s Bharat bandh

The Bharat bandh on September 20 to protest diesel price hike, subsidised LPG cylinders cap, and FDI in retail evoked mixed responses in Maharashtra.

Political parties, including the Shiv Sena, BJP and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), aren’t willing to enforce a shutdown due to Ganeshotsav, but traders and city’s wholesale markets have supported the call.

Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray said the party, known for the use of its raw muscle power, will support the bandh but not enforce a shutdown. “We will not create any hindrance to transport and add to citizens’ woes by participating actively in the bandh,” he said.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray said his party won’t join the bandh. Uddhav, who took part in a morcha from Dadar to Siddhivinayak temple, said, “We’ll participate in the agitation, but ensure it doesn’t affect Ganeshotsav.”

“There is no rift in the NDA, we are with the NDA,” Uddhav hastened to add, saying that had it not been for the festival, the bandh would have been implemented in the typical Sena style -- a complete shutdown.

Uddhav said Sena had discussed the issue with senior BJP leaders and was not opposed to the date of the bandh, as opposition parties had united on an issue after many years. Hence, it wasn’t right to pose hurdles. The Sena will discuss the future course of action with BJP leaders.

“We will not come out on the streets. The bandh will be enforced voluntarily,” BJP Maharashtra president Sudhir Mungantiwar told DNA. He added that they won’t “enforce a shutdown using force”. “We will ensure that public transport isn’t affected,” said Mungantiwar.

The Left parties, which have pockets of influence in Maharashtra, have also supported the bandh call. However, MLC Jayant Patil of the Peasants and Workers Party, which has a base in Raigad and parts of Western Maharashtra, said people and traders will voluntarily ensure a shutdown. “We feel the common man will support the bandh, there won’t be any need to enforce our will on the people,” he added.

Meanwhile, the 2,000 traders and 15,000 mathadi workers in the agriculture produce market committee (APMC) at Vashi have decided to shut down their shops on September 20 in protest against FDI. Sanjay Pansare, APMC director, said, the government move on FDI will kill the small and big traders. “Initially, the farmer may get a good rate because we will be there. But we will not be able to compete with the foreign players for a long time. Eventually farmers will be at the mercy of the big foreign malls. And once they come to know they are the only players, manipulation will start,” he said.

He added that Indian farmers are not yet equipped to compete with foreign farmers. “They have got more subsidies and government backing. And each farmer has got a minimum of 1,000 acres of land as compared with an Indian farmer’s two-three acres. They are well educated and equipped with technology. We are still doing farming in the traditional way. The government should wait and empower the farmer community first, then it can allow FDI,” he said.