BJP bandh in Delhi against price rise has partial impact

A BJP-sponsored bandh to protest hike in bus fares and skyrocketing prices of essential commodities had partial impact in the city today, with only some markets remaining closed and traffic plying normally.  Schools, government offices and other institutions functioned normally.

Braving chilly weather, BJP workers led by their leaders staged demonstrations in various parts of the capital, holding placards and raising slogans against the city government for "failing" to curb inflation and increasing bus and metro fares.

Markets in BJP-dominated areas such as Greater Kailash, Vikas Marg, Lakshmi Nagar and Chandni Chowk were closed as BJP workers carried out protest rallies amid tight security deployed by the Delhi police to avoid any untoward incident.

"The bandh has been called to protest anti-people policies. Bus fares have surged to such an extent that people do not prefer traveling in the buses at all. Similarly, food prices have hit the roof. How will the common man survive?," senior BJP leader VK Malhotra said.

Praveen Khandelwal, General Secretary of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), which is supporting the bandh, said transport and essential services were kept outside the purview of the bandh so that people do not face any inconvenience.