Aap-backed traders’ strike on January 23

NEWDELHI: The ruling Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday announced a day-long strike across markets in Delhi on January 23 against the ongoing sealing drive and the Centre’s move to allow 100 per cent FDI in retail.

The party alleged that the BJPruled civic bodies harassed the traders during the sealing drive, which is being carried out in the orders of the Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee.

”A huge sum of money has been collected as conversion and parking charges for over a decade, particularly after the recent drive started.the Bjp-ruled MCD is snatching the employment of traders,” said senior party leader, Gopal Rai while announcing the Delhi Vypar Bandh on Sunday.

“The traders wing of our party in all 70 constituencies will join traders unions to raise the voice against these issues on January 23,” Rai said.

Rai also criticised the BJP government for levying 100 percent FDI in retail.

Brajesh Goyal, AAP’S traders’ wing convenor, said as many as 370 of the 450 associations of Delhi extended support to the strike.

“Many trade unions approached us after Monday’s protest, suggesting a one-day bandh. This would be a token strike. In case the conversion charges are not waived off and the sealing drive doesn’t stop, we will start an indefinite strike next month,” said Goyal.

The call has received support from market associations in Chandni Chowk , Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Kashmere Gate, Karol Bagh, Gandhi Nagar to name a few, Goyal said.

“Most wholesale trader federations of Old Delhi will extend support to the January 23 Delhi bandh call to protest against the high-handed sealing by the monitoring committee,” said Praveen Shankar Kapoor, secretary, Chandni Chowk Nagrik Manch, who is also a BJP leader.