Chennai
All the transport unions, barring that of the AIADMK-affiliated union, had announced that they would not operate the buses, while the state government maintained that normal service would be maintained with police protection.
The political parties, farmers and trade union activists have announced that they would block trains across the state. However, petrol bunk unions said they would abstain as all the parties had not called for the bandh. Lorry owners association has also accepted to join the bandh.
Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sanga Peravai leader T Vellaiyan said union members would down shutters on April 5, while withdrawing the April 11 agitation announced earlier. Tamil Nadu Forum of Traders Associations leader AM Vikramaraja said his forum would also join Thursday’s bandh. All India Bank Employees Federation announced that around 60,000 of its members would take part in the strike and milk vendors will join the protest after the morning supply on Thursday.
Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami along with his deputy O Panneerselvam and senior minister D Jayakumar rushed to the Raj Bhavan for an urgent meeting with Governor Banwarilal Purohit. The meeting assumes serious significance as it took place a day after Purohit’s visit to Delhi, where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After the meeting, Palaniswami said, “The Governor wanted a detailed view on the ongoing protests on various issues in the state. He was satisfied with our update.”
“Among other things, he wanted to know the water situation in the state iand we told him that the state will be able to tide over summer,” Palaniswami added.
All-party meet to decide date for joint mass rally
DMK-led opposition parties would get in to a huddle on Thursday to finalise the date of “retrieve Cauvery rights” rally. Asked as to when he would commence his rally for constituting CMB, DMK working president MK Stalin told the media that it would be decided in the all-party meeting to be held on Thursday, the same day Opposition parties have announced a statewide strike against the ruling BJP.
CMB delay: Salem auto driver commits suicide
An auto driver from Salem district died after consuming poison to condemn the inaction of the state and central government in forming CMB. Police said M Prabhu, 39, from Manianur was admitted in Salem GH after he consumed poison on March 31. He died without responding to treatment on Wednesday. Local DMK functionaries gave a solatium of Rs 1 lakh to his family.
Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!
Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!
Click here for iOS
Click here for Android