Mumbai:
The Maharashtra BJP unit on Thursday claimed that the nationwide bandh call to protest the steep hike in petrol prices has received an "overwhelming" response in the state, while denying role in damaging public property.
"People who are already reeling under the impact of the price rise actively took part in the bandh and have shown their clear displeasure with the Congress-led UPA government's decision to hike petrol price," Maharashtra BJP chief Sudhir Mungantiwar said, adding he was thankful to the people and party workers for their efforts in making the shutdown a "huge success".
Meanwhile, Mumbai BJP president Raj Purohit claimed that the bandh received a huge response in the city.
"All market places, shops and business establishments were completely shut down in response to bandh," he said while denying reports that BJP workers were involved in any kind of violence amid reports of damage in stone pelting to state transport buses in Mumbai.
"According to my information, 37 buses were damaged. The damage is minor as only glass panes were broken," he claimed.
Meanwhile, police said that over 60 municipal buses in Mumbai were damaged in stone pelting by protesters at various places including Mulund, Dadar, Worli and Currey Road, while two BEST drivers were injured in separate incidents.
Home Minister RR Patil told reporters that he had asked police to conduct 'panchanama' of public property that was damaged during bandh and recover expenses from organisers of the bandh.
While denying role of BJP in damage to property, party spokesperson Madhav Bhandari demanded that state government should pick up "antisocial elements" who tried to sabotage the shutdown.
"There was no need to resort to violence because the people wholeheartedly supported us (BJP)," he said.