Bandh evokes mixed response in two states

The day-long bandh called by the BJP in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh to demand the withdrawal of a 10-year-old criminal case against party leader Uma Bharati evoked a mixed response on Thursday.

While the response was good in BJP stronghold districts in north Karnataka and coastal region, it was either poor or lukewarm in the southern parts, including Bangalore. The bandh was peaceful till noon barring stray incidents of stone throwing in Bangalore and Mangalore. Response was total in Hubli, the epicentre of the BJP’s action.

In Madhya Pradesh, barring sporadic incidents of violence, the bandh was peaceful as business establishments and markets remained closed. — (PTI)