Bharat Bandh: What to expect on Monday

With many political leaders like Nitesh Kumar, H D Devegowda refusing to support the bandh, Monday is likely to be a day of protests in larger parts of the country than a day of shut downs.

While opposition parties have attempted to corner the BJP in the parliament over demonetisation, they seem to be divided over their stand on Bharath Bandh. While non-BJP governed states have called for protests, many leaders have chosen to oppose bandh.

West Bengal

Left parties in West Bengal have given a call for 12-hour shut down after their counterparts in Tripura and Kerala announced the same. While the state government had already planned for a rally in protest of demonetisation, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee opposed the bandh call.

With Mamata Banerjee being in the forefront of protests against demonetisation, it was expected of her to support the bandh. However, calling the shut down nothing but another inconvenience to people, the WB CM has opposed the bandh.

All state government staff have been asked to report to work on Monday. No official holiday has been declared to schools and colleges. Transport, business and establishments are likely to be hit due to the left parties' strike.

Mamata Banerjee and TMC will however, go ahead with her rally against demonetisation as planned. Left parties have called for a complete shut down including banks.

Karnataka

While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed to not support the bandh but will protest against demonetisation, the same doesn't seem to reflect in the state. The State's assembly session was rescheduled from Monday to December 3 in the wake of Bharat bandh.

Transportation is likely to be hit including KSRTC and BMTC buses. District Commissioners have been asked to take a call on functioning of schools and colleges depending on the prevailing situation. Bangalore University, however, has postponed exams that were scheduled on Monday to another date citing Bharath Bandh. Private schools association has not declared a holiday for schools.

The Youth wing of the congress is organising a massive protest in Bengaluru's Town Hall and district headquarters across the state. Emergency services will not be affected. Banks will remain open. Petrol bunks and hotels will function as usual. Malls and establishments, cinema halls, Metro services unlikely to be hit. Associations like CITU have opposed the bandh but will sit in protest in Bengaluru.

Kerala

The strongest reaction to Bharath Bandh is expected from Kerala with the ruling LDF unabashedly calling for a Hartal. The 12-hour hartal from 6 AM to 6 PM is expected to bring Kerala to a standstill. All universities have cancelled or rescheduled their exams. The Kerala Public Service Commission, however, will go ahead with online examinations, Many universities in Kerala have even postponed admission processes.

Interviews and training modules by Kerala government run boards and departments have been rescheduled. Transportation, business is expected to come to a halt and private as well as government offices are likely to remain shut. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan however, has announced that banks and emergency services will remain unaffected.

With many political leaders like Nitesh Kumar, H D Devegowda refusing to support the bandh, Monday is likely to be a day of protests in larger parts of the country than a day of shut downs.

OneIndia News