New Delhi: The three-party Maharashtra Vikas Agadi (MVA) alliance consisting of NCP, Shiv Sena, and Congress called for the statewide bandh on Monday to protest against the Lakhimpur Kheri Violence which claimed 8 lives including 4 farmers.
In support of the statewide bandh, Maharashtra retail traders’ association has announced to keep all the shops shut till 4 pm. The Federation of Trade Association of Pune (FTAP) president Fattechand Ranka said all shops, except those dealing in essential items, will remain closed till 3 pm on Monday.
"Over 2,000 traders dealing in fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, onions and potatoes etc will support the bandh to show solidarity with farmers who play an all-important role in their sector," Rohan Ursal, secretary of the Shree Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard Adate (Traders) Association was quoted by PTI in its report.
Earlier on October 6, during the state cabinet meeting, Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil had tabled the resolution to express its condolences and solidarity with the untimely death of farmers in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence in Uttar Pradesh. As per the ANI report, Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat and Industry Minister and Senior Shiv Sena leaders Subhash Desai seconded the resolution.
BJP Opposes Maharashtra Bandh:
The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) criticizes the statewide bandh. BJP Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis said that the ruling parties are politicizing the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
BJP MLA Nitesh Rane warns the state government not to shut shop coercively. "If shopkeepers are 'forced' to close shops Tomorrow by any of the MVA karyakartas..then they will have to face BJP karyakartas! Police should ensure no one is forced or else there will be a law and order situation which is not our responsibility," he tweeted.
Farmer leaders alleged that Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Misra's son was in one of the SUVs which allegedly ran over the protesters.
(With inputs from Agencies)