BENGALURU: Hoteliers in the city have decided not to participate in the proposed bandh on June 12 called by activist and ex-MLA Vatal Nagaraj. Transport utilities BMTC and KSRTC too are staying away.
Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels’ Association president Chandrashekhar Hebbar said the decision not to participate in the bandh was taken at a meeting on Saturday.
BMTC is expected to take a final call on Sunday. Ekroop Caur, Managing Director of BMTC, said, “There’s nothing like we’re supporting or not supporting the bandh. We will assess the situation tomorrow (Sunday) and then take a final decision. Yes, we support the causes, but there’s no sentiment involved.”
Nagaraj’s demands include stopping privatisation of public sector units like BEML, waiving loans of farmers, expediting resolution of Mahadayi dispute, fast-tracking Mekedatu project and finding a permanent solution to water scarcity.
Vatal Nagaraj insisted that he will go ahead with the bandh and buses will be forced to stop plying. He claimed that government servants and owners of malls had pledged their support. “We will stand at bus stations to see if buses are plying. We don’t care if hotels and petrol pumps remain open, but buses have to stop plying. The issues we’re fighting for are important.”