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Mixed response in Punjab, Haryana
There was muted response in parts of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Thursday. Shop-owners downed their shutters in some areas of Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala, Sangrur and Bathinda cities of Punjab. Markets in some towns opened later.
In Chandigarh, most markets functioned normally. Some traders’ associations and BJP activists held demonstrations too. In Haryana, the strike evoked mixed response.
The ruling Akali Dal in Punjab which was earlier in support of FDI in retail has apparently supported its ally BJP by taking a U-turn on its stand. Chief Minister Parkash Singh talked to senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley on Thursday and after this changed the stand of the SAD on the contentious issue.
