HASSAN: Condemning the repeated hikes in the prices of fuel, former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda on Sunday said his party-the JD(S) will support the Bharat Bandh called by the Congress party on Monday.
However, he will not be participating in the bandh owing to his scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, he said.
In an informal chat with media persons in Hassan, Mr Gowda said, he and Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, accompanied by some MPs of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress, will be meeting Mr Modi to impress upon him the need to allot more funds for rehabilitation work in flood-affected areas particularly Kodagu district. “Those who are not part of the delegation to New Delhi, will be taking part in the bandh tomorrow,” he stated.
Speaking on the bandh, he said the frequent hikes in fuel prices have burdened the common man and have adversely affected trade and commerce in the country. “The hikes are too much for the common man to bear,” he added.
Meanwhile, JD(S)’ Chikkamagaluru unit spokesperson Holalgadde Girish said that the bandh will be observed in the district from 6 am to 6 pm. The bandh has been supported by employees of KSRTC, autorickshaw drivers, various transport agencies, pro-Kannada organizations among others. He wanted people and businessmen to support the bandh and make it a success to bring pressure on the Union government to roll back fuel prices, he said.
