Asserting that the nationwide shutdown over Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi brand retail and diesel price hike is a welcome step, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said that the people have come above party lines to vent their ire against the wrong policies of the Congress-led UPA government.
Addressing the supporters at the Jantar Mantar here, Gadkari said that the shutdown supported by the Left, BJP and other opposition parties against the rampant corruption, inflation and FDI in retail was a very good step.
"This is a very good step taken to take the country ahead in the right direction. Bharat Bandh is a complete success. The people have come above party lines to support the bandh against the wrong policies of the Congress-led UPA Government," he added.
Emphasizing that this was the beginning of a new movement, Gadkari said that the BJP would continue to fight for the rights of the farmers and traders.
Gadkari also lauded West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee's decision to withdraw her support from the ruling UPA coalition.
The BJP and Left shared the stage at a protest called by the Federation of All India Traders at the Jantar Mantar here.
A large number of shopkeepers and local traders carrying posters "FDI in Retail, Indian Trade on Sale' gathered here to vent their ire over the ruling UPA Government's decision to bring FDI in multi-brand retail.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) organised the shutdown to protest against reforms, including introducing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, brought the nation to a partial standstill on Thursday
The Congress-led UPA government appears is under pressure as of now following West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's declaration that the Trinamool Congress would be pulling out of the Central Government.
Trinamool Congress, the second biggest constituent of the UPA with 19 MPs, dealt a major blow to the Manmohan Singh Government when it decided to withdraw its support on the issue of petroleum price hike, FDI in retail and corruption.
The TMC's decision brings the UPA's effective strength in the 545-seat Lok Sabha from 273 to 254, which is slightly below the halfway mark.
The ruling Congress Party is likely to rope in either the Samajwadi Party or Bahujan Samaj Party, both of which extend outside legislative support to the UPA regime.