Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

Increase in prices of diesel, LPG triggers protest

Photo: K.R. Deepak

Burning issue:CPI leaders, led by party district secretary J.V. Satyanarayana Murthy, carrying empty gas cylinders as a mark of protest in the city on Saturday. —

VISAKHAPATNAM: Rallies and dharna with LPG cylinders marked the protests by opposition parties against the “steep increase” in LPG and diesel prices at different places in the city on Saturday.

Activists of the CPI district council staged a dharna carrying LPG cylinders on their heads at Jagadamba junction. Its secretary J.V. Satyanarayana Murthy alleged that the Central and State governments were increasing the prices of essential commodities frequently and burdening the common man. It was an indication of the failure of the governments.

After decontrolling oil prices last year, there was a 23 per cent increase in the prices of petroleum products. He demanded rollback of the increase in prices.

‘No justification'

The CPI leader said that LPG had become the common man's fuel and there was no justification in increasing its price by Rs.50. He ridiculed the statements of the Centre that the increase was nominal.

The government would not be allowed to function if it did not roll back the increase in prices.

CPI leaders Chalasani Raghavendra Rao, M. Pydiraju, K. Anjaneya, V. Lakshmi, G. Rambabu, G. Vamana Murthy, P. Eswaramma, JD Naidu, and AISF leader M. Srinivas were among those who participated.

A rally was organised by CPI(M) leaders and activists at Maddilapalem junction with gas cylinders seeking rollback of the hike in prices. Party city committee secretary B. Ganga Rao ridiculed the Centre, which earned the dubious distinction of increasing petroleum prices twice in a single month.

He alleged that the Centre was giving in to the tactics of oil companies.

Dr. Ganga Rao warned that the people would teach the Congress government a lesson in future. BJP national executive member K. Haribabu demanded that the increase in LPG, kerosene, and diesel prices be rolled back. The party activists staged a protest at Dwarakanagar with gas cylinders and firewood.

Addressing the participants, Dr. Haribabu said the party would continue to agitate till the increase in the prices was reduced. BJYM national secretary P.V.N. Madhav, party leaders J. Prithviraj, Kolli Ratna Kumari, Valluri Mohan Rao, M. Ramakrishnam Raju, Ch. Appala Satyanarayana, D. Sulochana Reddy, and KNP Chakravarthy were among those who participated.

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