Cause one, protests separate

Though the cause for 'Bharat Bandh' call was common, i.e., reduction in fuel price and price rise, the organisations which participated in the bandh were not united, and they staged protests and took out rallies separately.

The Congress and JD(S) held separate rallies and protests, and the only time they merged was when former MLA N H Konaraddi, Corporator Rajanna Koravi, and other JD(S) leaders visited the Chennamma Circle when Congress leaders were staging a protest there.

They joined the protest led by MLA Prasad Abbayya, MLC Shrinivas Mane, former minister A M Hindasgeri, and others who earlier took out a protest rally from Durgadabail.

Though the Left parties, AITUC, CITU and SUCI-C staged separate protests earlier, they came together later, displayed empty LPG cylinders, and pulled a tractor condemning the hike in fuel prices.

Hubballi Autorickshaw Owners & Driver Association, and Autorikshaw Drivers' Association of Keshwapur also staged separate protests. Pro-Kannada activists also staged a separate protest by preparing tea at Chennamma Circle.

More interestingly, many noted leaders who took part in the protest and raised slogans against fuel price hike, left the venue after the protest, in their high-end cars that consume more fuel.