Panaji, Sep 20 (IANS): The bandh called by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the left parties has had no effect in Goa, which is celebrating the second day of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
The state government observes a two-day holiday for this festival.
While some shops and establishments were closed, it was more or less business as usual across Goa, even as top BJP officials said that it was "impractical" to enforce a bandh while celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi, the biggest Hindu festival here.
Thursday, the second of the two-day government holiday, saw virtually all private establishments closed on account of Ganesh Chaturthi festivities.
A senior BJP leader said enforcing a bandh on a day of such festivity is virtually impossible. "The timing is bad for us in Goa. On a day of festivity, to orchestrate a bandh is impossible," the leader said.
Anand Mhapsekar, a general store owner, appears to be doing brisk business. Fire crackers and sweets are being sold in large quantities on account of the festival at Parra, a sleepy village 15 km from here.