The Opposition BJP's appeal to farmers and residents of Karnataka to 'voluntarily observe a bandh' across the state on Monday received a meek response.
The state-wide stir was called in protest of the alleged failure of Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to uphold a pre-poll promise of waiving farmer loans.
Reports from across the state indicated that normal life was not affected with schools, colleges, government institutions and public transport services functioning normally.
Farmer groups, trade unions and pro-Kannada organisations did not support the call for the bandh.
However, BJP activists held agitations at different parts of the state. During one such protest in Chitradurga, party workers were accused of vandalising the Indira Canteen in the town.
Meanwhile, Mysuru MP Pratap Simha was detained by police along with MLA L Nagendra and a few party workers. Police detained Simha for leading protests in Mysuru.
Former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, who is the leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, called for the bandh during the Assembly session on May 25. Criticising the JD(S)-Congress alliance in the state, he urged CM Kumaraswamy to waive Rs 53,000 crores worth of farm loans.
"Waiver of farm loans of Rs 53,000 crore, Rs 6,000 pension a month for senior citizens, Rs 6,000 a month for pregnant mothers. Loan waiver for women's self-help groups. We will welcome this," he said, amid murmurs of objections in the House.
Soon after threatening the state-wide stir, Yeddyurappa led the BJP MLAs in a walkout, allowing Kumaraswamy to win the vote of confidence unopposed.
Kumaraswamy, who had earlier promised to waive farmer loans within 24 hours of taking oath as Chief Minister backtracked, on his stance on Wednesday. "I cannot decide alone. I need to speak to Congress leaders and I need time for that,” he had said.
