Though vehicular movement was not affected largely, commuters faced trouble as a large number of autorickshaws kept off the roads during the day. The huge rush in Metro trains added to the woes of common man.
BJP and Left parties as well as traders associations claimed that the bandh was successful.
Major markets in Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Laxmi Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, Defence Colony, Khan Market and Connaught Place remained closed, though by evening hours some shops were opened.
Small shops were seen open in many areas in the morning while commuters complained that there were less autos on roads as number of auto and taxi unions have joined the protest.
BJP activists led by Sanjay Joshi and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi led the protest in Delhi near Akshardham temple blocking roads this morning. The leaders and several activists were detained.
BJP leaders Ananth Kumar and Vijay Goel courted arrest during their protest in Chandni Chowk along with Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta.
"The bandh shows the public anger against this government. This will be the last nail in its coffin," BJP National Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.
Left leaders Prakash Karat, A B Bardhan, Sitaram Yechury and D Raja courted arrested along with a number of their supporters near Delhi Gate as part of their protest against petrol price hike.
Karat said the steep raise in petrol prices was an atrocious step of the central government and this hike has resulted in an increase in prices of all essential commodities. (More)
