Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) today released a statement in which it said that it will support the Bharat bandh on Monday over the rise in fuel prices. The strike has been called by Congress and other opposition parties. Statement released by MNS. (Photo: ANI) Opposition parties in Maharashtra had on Saturday asked the Shiv Sena, a BJP ally, to support the `Bharat Bandh' against rising prices. The Congress has given a call for a nation-wide shut-down on September 10 in protest against rising fuel prices and inflation. Addressing a press conference with Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam here, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said, "MNS leader Raj Thackeray is calling for opposition unity. So we expect he will support this Bandh. "It is also a great opportunity for Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to give a jolt to the BJP government. If the financial capital (Mumbai) shuts down, it will be like the whole country shut down," Malik said. Nirupam said that state Congress chief Ashok Chavan is in touch with the Shiv Sena leader in this regard. "Petrol and diesel is costliest in Maharashtra. We have been demanding that fuels be brought under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) but the government is not ready," Nirupam said. (With ANI and PTI inputs) Also read: As fuel prices soar, Lalu Prasad Yadav turns poet Watch: Shiv Sena, Congress youth wings slam Modi government over fuel price hike<doc-sep>Metro to operate as usual: BENGALURU: Several schools and colleges across Bengaluru will be closed on Monday in the wake of Bharat Bandh called by the Congress, JD(S) and other political parties against the Modi government’s alleged failure to check spiralling fuel prices.Many educational institutions have decided to declare a holiday as transport services may be affected between 9am and 3pm as part of the nationwide bandh. These schools will have full-day classes on Saturday (September 15) to compensate for the closure on Monday.Shashi Kumar D, secretary, Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka, told STOI: “Private schools will not participate in the bandh in the interest of students. We don’t endorse the hike in fuel prices as it affects parents and educational institutions. We have communicated to heads of educational institutions that they can use their discretionary powers to decide on giving a holiday. Schools can declare a holiday provided they conduct classes on Saturday.”Mansoor Khan, member, board of management, DPS (Bengaluru and Mysuru), said: “We’ll be closed on Monday and work on Saturday.”Other schools decided on a holiday as they fear that transport services, including private schoolbuses, will be forced off the road. Since the bandh call has been given by Congress, government sources say the JD(S)-Congress coalition in the state will extend its tacit support.Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, while extending support for the bandh, said: “Rising fuel prices is a concern and we support the bandh as a political party.”Bus services will be affected as the AITUC-backed KSRTC Staff and Workers’ Federation has extended support to the bandh. KSRTC managing director SR Umashankar said the corporation has received a strike call from employees. “We requested them not to participate and we’ll take a decision based on the situation,” he said.Namma Metro and train services will operate as usual.UA Vasanth Rao, BMRCL spokesperson, said they’ll operate services as per schedule. “We’ll suspend services only if there are untoward incidents. Adequate police and security personnel will be deployed at all stations.”A majority of autorickshaw unions have decided not to participate. D Rudramurthy, Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union, said they will join the protest. Cab drivers are divided — while some associations of app-based cab drivers said they’ll stay off the road, airport taxi drivers and other drivers said they’ll ply as usual.<doc-sep>Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Bharat Bandh MNS Raj Thackeray Congress Shiv Sena Fuel price hike: Petrol, diesel prices rise again; Congress calls for Bharat Bandh on September 10 Continuing its surge, fuel prices soared again on Friday in Mumbai and Delhi, causing distress among vehicle owners and commuters. In Mumbai, petrol is being sold at Rs 87.39 per litre, and diesel at Rs.76.51 per litre. To protest against the sky rocketing prices of petrol and diesel, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena extends its full f… https://t.co/VgHkqISHgd — Raj Thackeray (@RajThackeray) 1536476516000 Crude or food: A slippery slope To cut oil import bill, govt has suggested mixing more ethanol in petrol. But higher ethanol production from sugarcane might worsen water shortage, food inflation. Thehas has decided to support thecalled by Opposition parties on Monday, September 10.chiefconfirmed the party's decision with an official statement he released on Twitter. "The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena extends its full support to the 'bandh' and will actively participate in it," he wrote. "We all should ensure such solid implementation and success of this bandh, that the government sitting in Delhi should realize all the mistakes that they have committed. "and other Opposition parties called for the bandh to protest the recent rise in fuel prices and inflation. Congress and the NCP recently requested MNS and-- the latter is an ally of the ruling party BJP at the state level -- to support the bandh.Addressing a press conference with Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said on Saturday, "MNS leader Raj Thackeray is calling for opposition unity. So we expect he will support this Bandh...It is also a great opportunity for Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to give a jolt to the BJP government. If the financial capital (Mumbai) shuts down, it will be like the whole country shut down. "While the Shiv Sena is yet to comment on the topic, Raj clearly said on Twitter that his party will protest against the hike in petrol and diesel prices as "the common man is in deep anguish". "Though the fuel prices are linked to the global markets, the central and state governments over and above that, have imposed heavy taxes on it. The country's policies canot be based on the whims and fancies of one person," he wrote. He went on to claim that demonetisation was "a huge blunder" and because it resulted in the economy plummeting "into a precarious state", the government is deliberately imposing heavy taxes on fuel and cover up the repercussions of demonetisation. "Why is the common man being made to pay a price for the miscalculation on part of the Central government?" he asked.He appealed to the MNS sainiks asking them to ensure the bandh is implemented but also urged them to see to it that no property is damaged and the common does not suffer. He also appealed "to all the citizens of Maharashtra, to put aside their political and ideological differences and support this bandh".-- With inputs from agencies<doc-sep>
Bengaluru: Office-goers and students could face a harrowing time on the first working day of the week as many services will be unavailable in the wake of nationwide bandh called by the All India Congress Committee on Monday. The Bharat bandh has been called to protest against 'price rise', 'fall' of rupee against the dollar and other issues that 'affect' the people across the country. Schools and colleges across Bengaluru will remain shut as transport services may be affected between 9am and 3pm. These schools will have full-day classes on Saturday (September 15) to compensate for the closure on Monday. Exams scheduled for September 10 are likely to be postponed due to the shutdown. "Private schools will not participate in the bandh in the interest of students. We have communicated to heads of educational institutions that they can use their discretionary powers to decide on giving a holiday. Schools can declare a holiday provided they conduct classes on Saturday," TOI quoted Shashi Kumar D, secretary, Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka, as saying. The state buses will also remain off roads as the KSRTC Staff and Workers Association have offered to support the bandh, therefore, services by all state-run transport corporations – BMTC, KSRTC, NWKRTC, NEKRTC - will be hit. The association is backed by the All-India Trade Union Congress. There may also be shortage of taxis as some drivers have also decided to support the bandh. The taxi drivers are divided over the shutdown call. A News Minute report quoted Tanveer Pasha, President of the Ola TaxiForSure and Uber Drivers' Association, as saying that taxi drivers will support the drive but his call is not supported by all taxi associations. "Increase in fuel prices has had a huge impact on the transport industry. But we can't take a sudden decision without consulting all associations and MNC vendors," K Radhakrishna Holla, president, Bangalore Tourist Taxi Operators’ Association told TOI. Meanwhile, auto unions are yet to take a decision on the strike. Commuters are advised to avail metro services on Monday as the trains will remain unaffected. A procession has also been planned from Hampankatta Circle to the District Commissioner's Office. "Bus and autorickshaw workers’, drivers’ and owners’ associations, maxi cab owners’ and drivers’ associations, Forum For Justice, beedi workers’ associations and various labour unions have supported the bandh", Congress leader Ivan D'Souza told The Hindu. "Our objective is not to trouble people or torment them, this bandh should be spontaneous. We are living in the most difficult times," Congress state unit of the party Dinesh Gundu Rao said, adding the bandh will convey people's 'anger and hardship' arising out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies in the hope that he implements plans that benefit the masses. JD(S), which runs a coalition government with the Congress, has also extended support to the bandh.