BJP calls for 'Bharat Bandh' over Price Rise

The BJP's nation-wide stir protesting the unprecedented price rise coincided with the reports of inflation touching a 42-month high of 7.57% during the week ending April 19, 2008. The "Bharat Bandh" called by the party, has evoked mixed response. The bandh was almost complete in NDA-ruled states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, while states like Assam and Karnataka too witnessed a complete halt in normal life.

BJP has given special focus to Karnataka, as elections due in that state just after a week. BJP has slammed the Congress-led UPA government for its "failure" to control the soaring prices, which added to the woes of poor people. Initially, the strike was planned by NDA. However, later it became all-BJP affair, as its major allies stayed away from the strike. It would be interesting to see whether BJP could derive some mileage over this issue in the forthcoming Karnataka polls.