Most markets in Lucknow, Allahabad and Kanpur remained open on Tuesday.

The bandh was also called by UP Udyog Vyapaar Mandal led by former BJP MP Shyama Behari Mishra, and the Udyog Vyapaar Pratinidhi Mandal chaired by SP MP Banwari Lal Kanchal.

In Lucknow, traders downed shutters only for an hour and held a rally at Patel Park. Later, it was business as usual. Kanchal said that traders will not file returns as per VAT ordinance.

He said that VAT in its present form will only increase harassment of the traders.

He claimed that there was complete bandh in the city and only a handful of traders opened their shop because it was New Year.

At Janpath Market there was no impact of the bandh call.