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Truckers continue strike, seek to rally political support

NEW DELHI: The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) has been seeking political support for its indefinite strike, which entered the third day on Wednesday demanding reduction in diesel and tyre prices.

AIMTC leaders called on CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and have sought an appointment with BJP president Rajnath Singh in a bid to shore up support. There is no headway in sight to end the strike despite the fact that the Centre feared that the situation could worsen with officials of the Gas Authority of India Limited too resorting to an agitation to press their separate demands.

The CPI(M) Polit Bureau issued a statement supporting the demands of the AIMTC and demanded that the government reduce the prices of diesel forthwith.

The CPI(M) also demanded that the Union Government immediately invite the AIMTC for discussions, and offer a bailout package as the strike was causing hardship to the common man.

In an internal assessment, the Centre noted marginal increase in prices of fruits, vegetables, sugar and edible oils in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

The circular also underscored the support that Kisan Union (pro-Left) had extended to the agitation in Punjab, the Kisan Morcha (BJP) in Agra and the BKU in Haryana. It also viewed with concern the strike by officers of the oil PSUs as it could further aggravate the situation.

According to official sources, the strike had affected movement of trucks up to 70 per cent in Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

Union Road Transport joint secretary Saroj Kumar Dash told The Hindu that the government was ready for talks if the AIMTC had its demands focussed.

AIMTC president Charan Singh Lohara regretted that the government was not holding talks to resolve the impasse. He however made it clear that the agitation would not be withdrawn despite the members suffering heavy losses.

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