Congress' 'Bharat Bandh' evokes a mixed response in north India

Congress workers across north India hit the streets Monday to protest the "steep hike" in fuel prices even as the 'Bharat Bandh' call given by the party evoked a mixed response.

Normal life was largely unaffected in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh while schools and shops were closed at several places in Rajasthan. The 'bandh' call evoked a mixed response in Punjab, Haryana and Uttarakhand.

In the national capital, offices, schools and colleges opened at regular time despite the 'Bharat Bandh' call. Traffic movement was normal across the city.

However, roads leading to Rajghat and Ramlila Maidan where Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and party top brass, including Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, held a protest witnessed traffic congestion.

Congress workers staged 'dharnas' at petrol pumps to protest the hike in fuel prices. Heavy police deployment was made in the city with reserve police personnel and motorcycle patrols being put on high alert, a senior officer said.

Congress leaders, including Delhi unit chief Ajay Maken, protested by riding a bullock cart to a petrol pump near Rajendra Place. A scooter was kept down on the cart symbolising the "plight of the common man", party leaders said.

"The prices of fuel have gone up without any break because the AAP government in Delhi and the BJP-ruled central government have kept on increasing VAT and excise duties on petroleum products," Maken said.

In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, protests had little impact on normal life as most commercial establishments and educational institutions functioned as usual.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath slammed the Opposition accusing it of "negative thinking".

"This (bandh) is a manifestation of their negative thinking. India is rising as the biggest economy in the world under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Welfare schemes are being launched, people are getting benefits. In such a scenario, nothing else can be expected from the desperate and demoralised opposition, which has no leadership or plans or strategy for the future," Adityanath told reporters in Lucknow.

He said the opposition should play a positive role.

Hitting back, Congress state president Raj Babbar said, "The rise in prices of petrol and diesel have severely affected common man and government is not serious towards their problems."