Bandh caused Rs.12,500 Crore loss

Left and BJP leaders briefly shared a dais to protest against the government’s decision to prune diesel and cooking gas subsidies and usher in FDI in multibrand retail, while Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav avoided the saffron corner and joined an eight-party demonstration.
The nationwide bandh organised by BJP, Left, regional parties – and supported by Congress ally DMK – evoked a mixed response, but the government did not seem overtly bothered at the gang up as Yadav made it clear that he is not likely to vote against it in Parliament.
“I have said this several times that we are supporting the government only to stop communal forces. But we will not tolerate price rise,” Yadav said. He warned of a stronger agitation if the decisions are not rolled back, but this is far short of a threat to withdraw outside support to UPA government.
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who did not support the bandh that had rival Left as a sponsor, backed the anti-government sentiment, saying that the popular resentment against the Centre’s reform decisions — that led to her withdrawing support to UPA — is evident.
The bandh call did not disrupt life in the national Capital but protesters impacted road and rail traffic in parts of UP, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha. There was little impact in Mumbai.
A CII spokesperson estimated about Rs 12,500 crore loss to the country due to disruptions in production and trade.
Protesters stopped trains in Mathura, Agra, Varanasi, Allahabad and Lucknow while BJP workers and traders blocked the Agra-Gwalior Highway by burning tyres. Major markets were shut at many places in UP, including in Lucknow .
Life in Kolkata and rest of West Bengal was disrupted.
In Karnataka, private operators and public transport system, including state run buses, did not ply. Shops and business houses were closed and streets were deserted.
In Jammu, the bandh was total. Shops and educational institutions were closed in Jammu. The university put off examinations scheduled for Thursday.