Political parties to observe Bharat bandh on Sep 20

BHUBANESWAR: The political parties in the State would observe the Odisha bandh to support their national committees’ decision of Bharat bandh on Thursday in order to protest against the Central Government’s decision on diesel price hike, allow FDI in multi-brand retail and limit subsidised cooking gas.

The Congress party would not support the Bharat bandh, while the BJD has already declared to not participate in the bandh saying it would affect the celebration of Nuakhai festival, which falls on the same day.

The State committees of the national parties like BJP, CPI, CPM, Forward Bloc, RJD, Samajwadi Party would participate in the Bahrat bandh on Thursday called by the NDA and several non-UPA parties.

The Government offices, educational institutions, business establishments, shops, banks and transportation system would be closed. The railway and bus services would be closed. The Auto-Rickshaw associations and private bus owners’ associations would support the bandh.

Different trade unions and traders’ organisations have supported the bandh. Except the western Odisha, the political parties and trade unions would observe bandh in other part of the State. “We would observe the bandh peacefully in the State. Except western Odisha, the bandh would be observed in the other parts of the State,” said the BJP State committee president Jual Oram.