INLD protests fuel price hike in Karnal, Kaithal, targets BJP govt

Scores of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) workers and leaders on Monday staged protests in Karnal and Kaithal against the rising prices of petrol, diesel, CNG, and cooking gas, accusing the BJP-led Union Government of failing to control inflation and burdening common citizens.

In Karnal, party workers led by district president Surjeet Shamgarh and other senior leaders took out a protest march and handed over a memorandum to Tehsildar for the President of India.

Shamgarh alleged that the BJP government had failed on all fronts and that the rising cost of fuel was directly impacting the daily lives of ordinary people.

“The government is continuously increasing the prices of diesel, petrol, CNG and LPG cylinders despite falling crude oil prices in the international market. This has led to a sharp rise in the prices of essential commodities and has made life difficult for the common man,” he added.

He along with other party leaders alleged that the government was working in the interests of capitalists rather than the common people and accused it of ignoring public concerns.

Meanwhile, in Kaithal, party workers led by state president Rampal Majra assembled at Jawahar Park before marching to Pehowa Chowk, where they symbolically broke earthen pots to protest inflation and rising fuel prices. The protesters later carried out a march to the Mini-Secretariat and submitted a memorandum to the government.

Addressing the gathering, Majra said inflation was continuously rising in the state, while the prices of petrol, diesel, gas, and everyday food items were rising without any effective intervention from the government.

Criticising the BJP government, Majra alleged that its leaders advised people to reduce fuel consumption while themselves travelling in large vehicle convoys.

He warned that if immediate steps were not taken to curb inflation and reduce fuel prices, the party would launch a larger statewide agitation in the coming days.