Udupi, December 27: The security arrangements made during the visit of President Ramanath Kovind to Udupi on Thursday have literally thrown the normal life out of gear. People openly expressed their unhappiness about the forced bandh-like situation in the temple town.
For just 45 minutes programme of the President, the people had to suffer for almost a whole day. From Adi Udupi to Mutt through Karavali Junction on Manipal road, all vehicular movement was restricted while coming and going. The vehicular movement was also restricted on circuit house road. All shops and business establishments in the vicinity of the mutt were forcefully closed and the entry of devotees into the mutt was also prohibited till afternoon. As there was no vehicular movement on major roads in the city, the adjacent roads also wore deserted look due to which there was an undeclared bandh in the city and it has irked the people.
Those who have come to Udupi for emergency works, those who have marriages and other programmes, and patients suffered a lot due to security measures. People have also expressed their resentment against this situation in the social media.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cut short her speech at a rally in her Bhabanipur constituency, alleging that the BJP was deliberately playing loud music from a nearby public meeting.
A peeved Banerjee said despite having the required permission of the Election Commission, her rally in Chakraberia was disrupted by the BJP, "who want to capture Bengal by intimidation and threat".
"It is not possible for me to go ahead with this meeting. If they can do such a thing in my constituency, imagine how undemocratic the BJP is. If they behave like this, I have to take legal action," she said.
"This is an insult, humiliation. BJP is stepping on our toes to instigate trouble. Not possible to address the gathering in this situation. I am leaving the stage. Please vote for me in your protest," she added.
Banerjee was then seen calling someone over and venting her grievances.
Before leaving the stage, she said, "I will hold a rally tomorrow at the same spot."
TMC supporters then rushed towards the BJP rally, which was later addressed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, but security personnel intervened and prevented the situation from escalating.
TMC workers later staged a demonstration outside the local police station and filed a complaint, alleging that the BJP violated the model code of conduct.
A senior TMC leader said another complaint will also be lodged with the Election Commission.
Asked about Banerjee's allegations, Adhikari told reporters after the rally he held nearby, "Her reaction shows she is nervous about the imminent loss."
"There was no violence, no obstruction in her meeting and her behaviour shows her nervousness. On May 4, people of Bhabanipur will celebrate the victory of the BJP," he claimed, alleging that the TMC also tried to disrupt his meeting by playing loud music.
South Kolkata's Bhabanipur, one of the battleground seats in the West Bengal elections, will vote in the second phase on April 29.
