New Delhi, January 8: Top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi extended support to the Bharat Bandh called by trade unions on Wednesday. On social media, the former party president said he "salutes" the 25 crore workers and unemployed youth who have called an all-India strike to protest against the ruling dispensation at the Centre. Banking, Transport And Other Services Likely to be Affected in Stir Called by Central Trade Unions.

The Gandhi scion, in his tweet, blamed the policies of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government for the rising unemployment and the weakening condition of public sector units (PSUs). The ex-Congress chief also alleged a ploy being hatched by the Centre to sell the PSUs to "crony capitalists" who are allegedly close to the ruling regime.

"The Modi-Shah government’s anti people, anti labour policies have created catastrophic unemployment and are weakening our PSUs to justify their sale to Modi’s crony capitalist friends," Gandhi said. "Today, over 25 crore workers have called for Bharat Bandh 2020 in protest. I salute them," he added.

See Rahul Gandhi's Tweet

The Bharat Bandh call was issued by all major central trade unions, including the INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC. The Left parties are actively supporting the agitation, directing their cadres to appeal the people to join the shutdown. The maximum impact of the bandh is expected to be felt in West Bengal and Kerala.

The banking sector employees, who had announced to join the anti-government stir, were warned by the Centre of consequences if they abstain from work. However, operations in several public sector lenders would remain obstructed today as the employees have decided to go ahead with their protest. The agitation is aimed at pressuring the Centre to roll back its decision to merge a slew of state-owned banks into fewer entities.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 08, 2020 09:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).