Kolhapur observed a strict ‘Bandh’ against rising petrol prices resulting in closed shops and disrupted public transport and a mass rally by opposition parties.
A nationwide strike against rising petrol prices in India has closed shops and disrupted public transport, with the under-fire government facing new disgrace over its economic management.
Opposition political parties and trade unions including BJP, ShivSena, and RPI enforced a shutdown in many cities on Thursday 31-May-2012, with anti-government marches and rally held in Kolhapur District and other parts of Maharashtra including commercial hub Mumbai.
Most shops were closed and traffic was extremely light, with many workers deciding to stay home because of the lack of public transport. ShivSena, BJP, RPI and various opposition parties conducted rally in Kolhapur. Motorcycle rally started from Shivaji Chowk at 11:30am and All the shops except a few medical shops were closed up.
Protesters in the city meanwhile burned effigies of Manmohan Singh, Indian prime minister and shouted anti-government slogans. The listless economy, high inflation and a series of corruption scandals have weakened the coalition government headed by the 79-year-old Singh and his Congress party.
Last week, Indian state-run oil firms announced the sharpest jump in petrol prices in nearly a decade to offset growing losses caused by subsidized rates.
Once taxes are included, the price increase of Rs6.28 (11 US cents) perlitre has result in Rs 7.5-rupee rise for consumers.
The strike called by the opposition parties is not a threat to the Congress party-led government, but poses a fresh challenge as Singh struggles with declining economic growth and policy paralysis in parliament.
BJP MLA Chandrakant Patil, BJP District President Mahesh Jadhav and Shivsena District Chief Vijay Devane spoke and leaded all.
Here, Corporator R.D. Patil, Subhash Ramugade, Rahul Chikode, Vijay Jadhav, Sanjay Sawant, Papesh Bhosale, Sandeep Desai, Ganesh Desai, Devendra Jondhale, Mahila Group’s Madhumati Pawangad, Bharti Joshi, Kishori Swami, Tejaswini Harale, Shrikant Gunte, Mahaveer Chandane, Maruti Bhagoji, Harshad Kumbhojkar, Dr. Shelar, Abhay Vante, Raju Malvi, Ashok Lohar, Datta Tipugade, Durgesh Lingas, Kamlakar Jagdale, Ranjeet Jadhav, Rahul Bandodkar, Tukaram Salonkhe, Jaywant Harugale, Dhanaji Dalvi, Bunty Jadhav, Ramesh Khade, Dilip Burke, Kiran Padval, Adv. Panditrao Sadolkar, Durvas Kamble, Datta Misaal, Sanjay Lokhande, Nagesh Falande, Sharad Fadtare, Raju Vasagadekar, Dilip Kamble and many other associates adjoined the group.
