BJP observes 'Jail Bharo' agitation on Aug 9

Nashik, Aug 9 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today observed 'Jail Bharo' agitation on the occasion of August 9, 'Kranti din'.

The agitation was observed as a part of the BJP's 'Congress sarkar chale jao' drive telling the democratic front Government in the state to quit power. The occasion of August 9 had been chosen for the agitation as father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi had warned the British Government to leave the country on August 9, 1942, and began the 'Quit India' movement at Gowalia Tank ground in Mumbai.

A huge morcha was taken out on the occasion by nearly 2,000-2,500 BJP activists including BJP led small stall-owned association members, Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha (BJPY) and Bharatiya Janata Party Scheduled Caste (BJPSC) morcha members took part in the agitation.

It was led by BJP's state unit General Secretary MLA Vinod Tawde, state unit Vice-President Malegaon MP Harischandra Chavan, Senior BJP leader Bandopant Joshi, BJPY city President and Deputy Mayor Ajay Boraste.

The protest march commenced from B D Bhalerao ground. Passing through Shalimar Point, Main road, Chumal point and M G road, it reached the district collectorate. All over its route the activists which included women shouted slogans such as 'Rajya sarkar chale jao' (state Government quit), 'Deshmukh-Patil chale jao' and many other anti-Government policy slogans.

Addressing the morcha, Mr Tawde attacked the state Government for its policies and warned it to quit power. He said the agitation would continue till the removal of the democratic front Government from the state.

He criticised the Government for various problems in the state such as unemployment, corruption, robberies, load shedding and inflation. He also criticised the CM for the alleged sell of Wakf board land to his brother Dilip Deshmukh.

He blamed the Deputy CM R R Patil for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state and pointed out Government's failure in providing modern arms, houses and good salaries to police in the state.

Later all the leaders and many activists got themselves arrested.

Meanwhile, the bandh by traders in protest against entry of multinational companies in retail trading received mixed response in the city and districts.

The bandh was called by the Federation of Associations of Maharashtra headquartered at Mumbai. The Vyapar Rojgar Suraksha Kriti Samiti had given the call for the bandh in the city and districts. Many organisations of wholesalers, distributors and retailers participated in it. Its impact was not much in most of the city areas.

UNI