Mysuru: Bharath bandh was near total in former chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah’s home district. Congress leaders staged protests in different parts of Mysuru city. JD(S), the coalition partner, too showed solidarity by taking out a rally, condemning the BJP government at the Centre over various issues including rise in fuel prices.The bandh was ‘successful’ though some of the fuel refilling stations functioned as usual and tourist centres – Mysuru Zoo, Mysuru Palace and Karanji Lake — were open to visitors. Train services were not affected as police had created a security ring around the station at both the entrances and trains ran as per schedule.Bus operations were stopped soon after the daybreak and the service resumed only in the evening. Except Demonstration School (DMS) run by the NCERT, all other educational institutions, government offices and commercial establishments were shut. City and district police confirmed that the bandh was peaceful.MLA Tanveer Sait , former legislator Vasu , KPCC member Vishnunath, former minister Vijayshankar and other local leaders mocked the Modi-led BJP government at the Centre over the rising fuel and LPG prices by riding in tongas and bullock carts. They also pulled a four-wheeler using a rope on Devaraj Urs Road and carried empty LPG cylinders on their heads to indicate how fuel is becoming costlier by the day.Block Congress members supported by truckers blocked the Abul Kalam Azad Circle and shouted anti-BJP government slogans. They burnt tyres and the effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi . Trucks were parked around the circle blocking traffic movement.Former MLA MK Somashekar and his supporters protested at KSRTC suburban and stopped movement of buses. City bus services were affected as passengers at various bus stops suffered without public transport. KSRTC rural division authorities had completely stopped bus services from the division.JD(S) state chief AH Vishwanath joined the party workers and staged a protest near Gandhi Square. Former mayor MJ Ravikumar said people cutting across party affiliations should protest the price rise and support the bandh.Vendors of flowers and other perishable commodities carried out their business in the markets. Indira Canteens on KR Hospital and Cheluvamba Hospital campuses served food as usual.Meanwhile, BJP MP Pratap Simha at a press meet said that the onus of reducing tax on is on state government and they too should be blamed for price rise.

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