MNS,SP to join strike

Two parties that are usually at war with each other — the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) — have decided to back the July 5 nationwide bandh called by Opposition parties.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray,in a statement,said his party would support the ‘Bharat bandh’ called in protest against the recent fuel price hike. He pointed out that petrol and LPG cost more in Mumbai as compared to Delhi.

Thakeray appealed to Marathi people to close down businesses and establishments for the day to mark their protest.

He added that essential services like water,milk and electricity should not be disrupted.

Earlier in the day,SP state unit chief Abu Azmi announced that the party would also participate in the bandh.