Bharat Bandh: Mayawati attacks BJP

LUCKNOW: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Friday called the ‘Bharat Bandh’ by some ‘upper caste-OBC groups against the SC/ST Act’ as an ‘electoral conspiracy’ of the BJP to divide people on caste lines ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. In a statement, Mayawati said the BJP supported such agitations to divert people’s attention from “burning” issues such as fuel price hike.

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) will deploy a senior party leader in every district to make the proposed Bharat Bandh on Monday against rising fuel prices in the state a success.

The Congress has given the call for nationwide bandh to protest the rising fuel prices. “Senior party leaders will be reaching out to the people and urge them to observe the Bharat Bandh. We are working out strategy to make it a success,” UPCC president Raj Babbar here.

Babbar said the state party was setting up a committee to oversee preparations for the Bandh. He said the BJP led government was, however, not ready to listen to the people’s problems and hence no efforts had been made to bring down the fuel prices. Replying to a question about the Congress’ share in proposed grand alliance, Babbar said people were in favour of unity in the opposition ranks.

Meanwhile, Seva Dal workers took a rally in protest against the Rafale deal, in Lucknow on Friday.