Bharat Bandh: Karnataka likely to motionless tomorrow
JDS, Left parties and various organizations extend support
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Some organizations oppose bandh
Bengaluru, September 9: As the Bharat Bandh called by the Congress and other opposition parties across the country against fuel price hike received overwhelming support from all quarters, Karnataka state is likely to be motionless completely tomorrow.
Except BJP, majority of the political outfits including JDS, CPI, CPM and BSP, Pro-Kannada organizations, Labour organizations, Auto, Taxi, Tempo Drivers and Owners associations have extended their support to the bandh. But the hotel owners and their organisations opposed the bandh.
As the KSRTC and BMTC drivers and conductors associations have also extended their support to the bandh, KSRTC and BMTC buses might stay off the roads. There would not screening of movies in cinema theatres and malls across the state. As auto, tempo and taxi service will hit due to bandh, the people who go to other places during week-end might suffer.
But the Federation of the Lorry Owners and Drivers Associations has decided to be neutral on the bandh. However, Metro and North-West railway service will function as usual. But the authorities may take a decision based on the situation. All other services except hospitals, medical shops, milk, fruits and vegetables and emergency services will not affect from the bandh. There are chances of government offices and banks may shut their doors.
The Federation of Private Schools declared holiday to the schools supporting the bandh. Decision on declaring holiday for government schools and colleges was left to the discretionary power of respective DDPIs.
It is expected that as the fuel price rise affected the normal life to a great extent, the general public would support in the bandh voluntarily. As a precautionary measure, the police department has taken tight police security across the state. The Congress party, in all district centres, has conducted meetings with its alley JDS and other political parties for the success of the bandh. Former prime minister HD Deve Gowda declared that he would support the bandh. BSP has declared that it would take up protest differently. Labour organizations backed by the Left parties, Farmers organization and IT-BT companies have decided to participate in the bandh.
Shops to open additional one hour more
IN order to make the Bharat bandh a failure, the owners of some shops and hotels have decided to open their establishments for additional one hour more than usual timings. Regarding this, some photos are being circulated in the social media. They have put up boards on the issue in front of their shops and opposed the Bharat Bandh.
Notice if absent from service
Already, KSRTC and BMTC employees have declared that they would support the bandh. Meanwhile, the KSRTC Managing Director issued a circular saying that disciplinary action would be taken against those who restrain from the service on September 10 and their salary would be cut.
'Following the Bharat bandh condemning the fuel price hike, Deputy Commissioners have declared holiday for schools and colleges across Bengaluru city and Bengaluru Rural districts.'
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“Full prepared..going to win,” Congress MP KC Venugopal ahead of Kerala polls
EC not functioning as a neutral institution: Venugopal
Congress MP K. C. Venugopal on Monday raised concerns over the election schedule announced by the Election Commission of India for the upcoming Kerala Assembly election, questioning the timing of the poll dates and alleging that the schedule leaves limited time for campaigning.
Speaking to news agency ANI in Delhi after the poll panel announced elections in five states and Union Territories, Venugopal said that the Congress and the United Democratic Front (UDF) are fully prepared for the elections and confident of victory. At the same time, he questioned the pattern of dates announced by the Election Commission.
“We are fully prepared, we are going to win the elections... You can see how the Election Commission has set the dates. The first phase of elections is on the 9th, nominations are due until the 23rd, scrutiny is on the 24th, nominations can be withdrawn until the 26th, and after that, there are 11 days for campaigning,” he said.
“As for Kerala, there is Easter and Good Friday in the first week...The Election Commission could have announced the dates earlier... The counting date is on May 4th, so what was the point of holding elections in Kerala so early? What is their intention behind holding elections on the same day in Kerala, Puducherry, and Assam?... We are confident that we will win, but the people of the country are seeing the biased attitude of the Election Commission...,” he added.
He further stated that his party was ready for elections irrespective of the dates announced by the poll body.
“We are going to win the election. India's strategy has been set up. And we are all ready for winning this election. But one thing as far as declaring election, even though they are giving only for five days, we are going to win the election. We have no problem,” he said.
Detailing the poll schedule while questioning the time available for campaigning, he stated, “but you can see the pattern of date which the election commission announced. Yesterday they declared election, and today they notified us. The first phase of election on April 9th, filing of nomination will be over on the 23rd of this month, 24th scrutiny, 26th withdrawal of nomination. After 26, four plus seven, 11 days campaign.”
“As far as Kerala is concerned, April first week is a holy week. The holiday week means, Good Friday is there. Nobody will do anything on Good Friday. Easter is the big festival. These festivals are natural, you have to see that. Among the 11 days, working days, two, three days will go for holidays. Then hardly seven, eight days for campaigning in this election for candidates,” the Congress MP questioned.
The Congress leader said the Election Commission could have announced the dates earlier if there was a need for an early election schedule.
Questioning the urgency behind placing Kerala in the first phase of polling, he added that the counting date is much later.
“Which is the date of counting? Fourth May. Then what is the urgency of putting Kerala in the first phase without giving sufficient time for candidates? And putting Kerala, Puducherry, Assam together, what is the intention behind that?” Venugopal questioned.
He also alleged that the Election Commission was not functioning as a neutral institution.
“The Election commission is completely losing that capacity as a neutral player. You can see 14 of our prime minister's programs over and on the 15th they announce the election, 16th notification comes,” he said.
Venugopal further stated that such tactics would not affect the Congress’ prospects in the election.
“They think that this type of techniques and tactics, because of these techniques and tactics, UDF is going to lose, and Congress is going to lose. This is their complete dream only. This is not going to happen. We are very much confident at any cost, whether they are not giving any time also, we are going to win the election,” he said.
“But the people of India are watching this. The tricks of the election commission. To restrict the campaign, people of India are watching. This I want to bring into the notice of the nation. That's all,” Venugopal said.
The Election Commission of India on Sunday announced the schedule for the Kerala Assembly election. Polling in the state will be held in a single phase on April 9 while the counting of votes is scheduled to take place on May 4.
