Congress bolstered by opposition support ahead of Bharat Bandh over skyrocketing fuel prices

Most opposition parties on Sunday extended support to the Bharat Bandh called by the Congress and Left Front over skyrocketing fuel prices in a showdown with the Modi government that has evaded a direct explanation to the non-stop rise in fuel prices.

While parties like the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), Samajwadi Party (SP), DMK, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) backed the shutdown, the Left has also declared a nationwide hartal.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), a non-NDA party, said although it was against the fuel price hike, it would not support the Bandh. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) took a similar stand in Delhi.

The Odisha government has declared that schools will remain closed on Monday to ensure the safety of the students.

Congress leader Ajay Maken on Sunday said that close to "20 political parties" were taking part in the protest.

He said the Centre had earned Rs 11 lakh crore in the last four years through excise duty on fuel and this money was taken from the common man to fill the government`s coffers.

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda will join other opposition leaders at a protest rally and meeting in New Delhi.

All schools and colleges to remain shut tomorrow in Bengaluru in view of a nationwide shutdown.