BJP, VHP call for bandh to protest Varanasi blasts

The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Tuesday night gave separate calls for Uttar Pradesh bandh on Wednesday in protest against the bomb blasts in Varanasi. "The BJP will observe the total bandh in the state on Wednesday.

We appeal to the people to peacefully register their protest against the terrorist attacks." Party General Secretary Vinay Katiyar told PTI over phone from Nayagarh in Orissa.

Katiyar who is cutting short his visit and reaching Varanasi on Wednesday, also demanded the resignation of the Central government "for it's failure to prevent the blasts despite having prior intimation as claimed by Home Minister Shiv Raj Patil."

Meanwhile VHP General Secretary Praveen Togadia said in a statement from Valsad in Gujarat that the outfit would observe a bandh in Uttar Pradesh tomorrow in protest against the attacks.