No patronage to shut shops: BJP

Mumbai: The nationwide bandh called by the Opposition on November 28 seems to have rattled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who have started sending out messages stating that they would never patronise shops that remained closed on that day. The BJP also claims that people who are against black money wouldn’t shut their shops.

Senior BJP leader Prasad Lad, former chairman of Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority’s (MHADA) repair board, sent out messages that read, “I will never buy from the shop which is closed on 28th Nov. Post same on your profile if you support (sic).”

Another message sent by a senior BJP leader was a poster that read, “I am not supporting Bharat Bandh, because I am against black money, corruption and corrupt politicians (sic).” Meanwhile, traders in Mumbai have been circulating messages saying that they do not support the bandh. “Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA) is not participating in any ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by political parties on November 28.

“We shopkeepers have wholeheartedly supported the decision of the honourable Prime Minister to eradicate black money, fake currencies and fight terrorist activity,” said Viren Shah, the president of the association.

Mr Shah is the same person who on Tuesday met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and, earlier, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray over the same issue.

Meanwhile, the BJP said the bandh would be a flop. “There is hardly any chance that the bandh will be successful. People are against black money and anyone who is against black money will never support anything like this. But we are a democracy, and people have the right to protest and it’s not necessary that everyone approves of our ideas,” said BJP spokesperson Niranjan Shetty.

The BJP is being targeted by the Opposition on the demonetisation issue, and it seems to be standing alone. The BJP’s ally, Shiv Sena, has attacked it and came down heavily on the Prime Minister.