Dist Mahila Congress Holds Cycle Jatha against NDA Govt’s Fuel Price Hike
Mangaluru: The District Mahila Congress held a Cycle Jatha against the NDA government for the hike in fuel price from Jyothi circle to the DC office here on February 3.
The Cycle Jatha was flagged off by Kollywood Actress Bhavana and MLA J R Lobo.
Prior to the Jatha, addressing the protesters MLA J R Lobo said, “From the past three months the fuel price has reached to the sky. Even the subsidy for gas has been withdrawn. When the UPA government was in power the BJP had protested for the hike of fuel price by cooking on the streets. When the UPA government was in power the fuel price per barrel was $140 and the petrol price was Rs 50 to 55. But the BJP workers had protested, now the fuel price in the international market per barrel is only $40 but the petrol price per ltr is Rs 75.”
MLA Lobo further said, “Now when the fuel price has skyrocketed the BJP is not uttering a single word about it. The NDA government in its manifesto had promised many schemes but have failed to implement any of them. When the fuel price has hiked the price for all basic commodities will also increase making it very difficult for the poor people. The price for gas cylinder has been drastically hiked. The Demonetization has also caused more than 150 deaths of innocent people. Small businessmen are closing their businesses. Modi has promised to create jobs but people are losing their jobs. The BJP has no moral right to be in power. The NDA government has totally failed to provide good governance. They should step aside and give an opportunity to others who are eligible in providing good governance and taking the country forward.”
Addressing the protesters KPCC Secretary Bhavana said, “Today the Mahila Congress members have staged a protest against the Modi government which is successful. We all have participated in the Cycle Jatha from Jyothi circle to the DC office. We have protested against the NDA government for hiking the price of fuel. Our voice should reach Delhi and the NDA government led by Modi should reduce the price. It is difficult for the common man to lead a normal life because of the VAT, CESS, GST and finally the demonetization. We all women should come out and fight for our rights and force the NDA government to reduce the price of gas, petrol and diesel.”
Addressing the protesters Mayor Kavitha Sanil said, “When the UPA government was in power and there was a hike of 50 paise for the fuel, and when the price for a gas cylinder was Rs 375, the BJP workers got down to the streets and started to cook with wood. But now when the NDA government is in power and the price for a gas cylinder is Rs 750, the same BJP workers are maintaining silence. I think BJP workers are busy frying Pakodas. If the fuel price will not be reduced in the coming days, the Mahila Congress will intensify their protest.”
Minister U T Khader said, “In the last elections Modi fooled the people by giving a lot of assurances and came to power. But he did not fulfill any of his promises. The NDA government led by PM Modi has no concern towards the people of this country. Day-by-day the price for basic commodities have increased and put the common man in trouble. The price for gas has also doubled but the BJP workers who protested against the UPA government for hiking 50 paise for gas are sitting quietly. The BJP government should answer on why the fuel price is hiked when the fuel price in the international market is $40 per barrel, whereas when it was $140 per barrel in the international market during the UPA rule, the price for a gas cylinder was only Rs 375. If the common man should lead a normal life, we should bring the Congress party to power and make Rahul Gandhi as our prime minister.”
Congress leader Mamatha Gatti said, “Modi said that he will bring back the black money and credit Rs 15 lakh to the account of every citizen, but till date, Modi government has failed to credit Rs 500. The Modi government had given fake assurances to fool the people. When the Congress government was in power in the centre the price for a gas cylinder was only Rs 375 but the Modi government has hiked it to Rs 750. Women should come out and raise their voices against the price hike. The Congress government led by CM Siddaramaiah has given the Anna Bhagya to the people of Karnataka and this is the only state in the country to get such a Scheme.”
District Congress President Harish Kumar, District Mahila Congress President Shalet Pinto, Lavanya and others were also present.