Speaker V. Vaithilingam on Monday added his signature to the ongoing symbolic protests against spiralling fuel prices.
Mr. Vaithilingam reached the Legislative Assembly riding a bicycle, which he said, was part of the government’s austerity drive. When mobbed by reporters, the Speaker politely refused to assign any symbolism to his action. However, the political message was not lost when Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy gave a hero’s welcome to Mr. Vaithilingam as he stopped his bicycle in front of the Assembly.
Burning issue
Rising fuel prices was most likely a burning political issue in the series of elections due in the next couple of months.
Only last month, in a gesture that caught widespread attention, a newly-married couple in Cuddalore was gifted a five-litre can of petrol as a wedding gift, reflective of the widespread discontent over the rising prices of fuel.