AAP holds protest in Ludhiana over hike in fuel prices

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a protest on Friday over the increase in fuel prices. The protesters alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre was “burdening the people”.

The Centre on Friday hiked petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre.

The protest, led by district president Jatinder Khangura, was organised outside a petrol pump in Agar Nagar. AAP leaders and supporters raised slogans against the Centre over inflation and rising prices of essential commodities.

Addressing the gathering, Khangura alleged the BJP government had increased the prices of petrol and cooking gas immediately after Assembly elections in five states. He claimed the continuous rise in fuel prices had added to the financial burden on middle-class and poor families, who were already struggling with inflation.

The AAP leader hit out at the foreign policy of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, alleging it had failed to control rising fuel prices and provide relief to the public. He said the increase in petrol prices would directly impact transportation costs and eventually lead to a rise in prices of daily-use items.

Party leaders warned if fuel prices continued to rise, protests would be intensified in the coming days.