BJP’s trade bandh hits select markets

The trade bandh called by the Delhi unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to protest against price rise got a partial response from traders on Friday.

The trade bandh called by the Delhi unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to protest against price rise got a partial response from traders on Friday.

HT Image

Markets in the BJP-dominated areas of Greater Kailash, Vikas Marg, Lakshmi Nagar and Chandni Chowk remained shut throughout the day

In areas like Lajpat Nagar, South Extension and Connaught Place, the markets were closed only for a few hours in the morning.

BJP workers carried out protest rallies in several places in the city. Traffic remained normal and many popular markets in central and south Delhi remained open.

BJP had called the strike to protest the hike in bus fares and the “skyrocketing prices of essential commodities”.

“As the Opposition party, it is our role to expose the high-handedness of the government,” said Leader of the Opposition in Delhi Assembly V. K. Malhotra.”

“We have called the bandh to protest anti-government policies. Bus fares have been hiked phenomenally. Similarly food prices have hit the roof. How will a common man survive?"

Praveen Khandelwal, general secretary of the Confederation of All India Traders, which supported the bandh, said transport and essential services were kept outside the purview of the strike so that people do not face any inconvenience.