BHUBANESWAR: The ruling
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday staged demonstrations at various fuel filling stations across the state protesting against the hike in prices of petrol and diesel. The BJP termed it a
political gimmick.
Workers of Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) and the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD), two wings of the ruling party, staged peaceful demonstrations at different petrol pumps in the state. They were seen distributing leaflets the sensitize the public about the frequent hike in the price of petrol and diesel.
BCJD state president Rana Pratap Patra said price of petrol has been hiked for maximum times in the financial year of 2017-18 against last four financial years. “Hike in
fuel price has been adversely affecting the common people. It exposed the Centre that has failed to take steps to reduce the price,” he added.
He said they will continue their agitation till the fuel prices are brought down. “When BJP came to power in 2014, fuel price in the international market was stable. Today, the price of crude oil is still not high. But I wonder why the Centre increases the fuel price,” he added.
BJP, however, termed the stir of the ruling BJD as a political gimmick. The party leaders alleged that the ruling party tries to divert the attention of the masses from the issues that affect the state.
“The state government should clarify that how much VAT it gets from the petrol and diesel besides the Centre,” said Brugu Baxipatra.
