BJP stages protest against hike in fuel price, power subsidy rollback

The state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took out a protest march against the state government’s decision of hiking the fuel prices.

BJP district president Sanjeev Sharma Bittu, and leaders of the BJP Mahila Morcha and Yuva Morcha staged the protest at Fountain chowk, Patiala. The state government has increased petrol prices by 61 paise and diesel by 92 paise, adding to the already soaring fuel costs. Since the AAP government came to power, diesel and petrol prices have risen by almost Rs 3. Furthermore, the 7 kW electricity subsidy has been suspended.

The protesters demanded immediate rollback of the fuel price hike and restoration of subsidies. They criticised the state government for its anti-people policies and neglect of public welfare.

Jai Inder Kaur, president, BJP Punjab Mahila Morcha, said, “The AAP government has failed to deliver on its promises, instead, it has further burdened the common people.”

She lambasted the Chief Minister over his priorities, saying he was more focused on election campaigns in Haryana and self-promotion through expensive advertisements, while the state reeled under massive debt. “It’s shameful that the CM is busy building his image in other states, while residents here suffer his government’s policies. Public money should be used for public welfare, not for CM’s political ambitions,” she added. Bittu said, “They are looting the middle class and filling their coffers. We demand rollback of the hike with immediate effect.”

The protest march was attended by a large number of BJP workers and supporters.