Bandh called by AIADMK; trade associations not to support bandh as it falls during peak holiday season
The AIADMK has called for a bandh in Pondicherry on Wednesday to press the long- pending demand for statehood for Puducherry.
Various trade associations in Pondicherry including the Puducherry Traders Federation, Chamber of Commerce, the Pondicherry Restaurants Association are not extending their support to the bandh as it falls during the peak tourist season in Pondicherry. Most shops, restaurants and businesses affiliated with these associations will stay open and function as usual.
Traders appeal for police protection
Despite appeals from traders associations to postpone the bandh to a different date, AIADMK leader A. Anbalagan had told the press on Monday they plan to go ahead with the bandh. The bandh is to put pressure on the Centre to grand statehood to the Union Territory of Puducherry.
The Puducherry Traders Federation is also opposing the bandh as it has been called by a faction of a single party and without consultation of ruling party coalition or opposing party coalition. Christmas Eve to New Year’s is the busiest time for shops and hotels and a day’s bandh would cause hardships for many businesses, the federation has said. The federation on Tuesday sought police protection for shops to function as usual without any threat from miscreants.
According to a representative of the Pondicherry Restaurants Association, while the association supports the cause for which the bandh is called, it will follow the stance of other major trade associations and businesses will stay open. “This is the high season and most restaurants are heavily dependent on this period for the survival of their business.”
