Patna, July 9 (UNI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today led a protest march during statewide Chakka Jam called by opposition Grand Alliance (GA) in Bihar against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state.
Accompanied by the leader of Opposition in Bihar assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, national general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist Leninist) CPI(ML), Deepankar Bhattacharya and leaders of CPI, CPM and VIP, Rahul took out the protest march from the Income Tax roundabout to the Election Commission office in the state capital.
Rahul arrived in Patna and joined the protest at Income Tax Golambar. Since early morning, GA leaders gathered at the spot and shouted slogans and protested. The GA leaders reiterated their demand to immediately stop the ongoing voter list revision.
Meanwhile, private schools closed their institutions as a precautionary measure. Shops were shut already while other business installations were closed due to the agitation in the state capital.
The agitation affected normal life in capital Patna and across various districts, including Ara, Jehanabad, Darbhanga, Munger and Araria. Protesters have blocked roads, halted trains, and staged demonstrations at various places.
A report from Munger said that the bandh's effects were clearly visible. Protesters held demonstrations at various intersections.
A report from Banka said the Chakka Jam had a major impact in the district. GA supporters took to the streets, shouting anti-government slogans, staging road blockades, and completely halting vehicular movement in the district. Shops were shut down, and tyres were burnt on roads as a form of protest.
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