Day 1 of Budget Session marked by protests over rail fare hike
The Congress leaders on Monday protested at the Parliament House against the BJP-led NDA Government over price rise and rail fare hike on the first day of the Budget Session on Monday. They also tried to gherao, but were prevented from doing so due to heavy security arrangements made in the area for initiation of the Budget Session. Congress leaders and workers, led by Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee’s (DPCC) president Arvinder Singh lovely, shouted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Sansad Marg near Parliament Street Police Station.
Several senior leaders Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar, Haroon Yusuf, Sharmistha Mukherjee, Mukesh Sharma and other former MlAs were among those who staged the protest. Police, which has made elaborate security arrangement at Sansad Marg, prevented the Congress leaders from going towards the Parliament House by erecting barricades. The Congress workers set out from Jantar Mantar to gherao the Parliament House and the police had to resort to lathicharge to deter them. Over a dozen Congress workers, including women, were injured in the lathicharge. Before the lathicharge, the police arrested senior leaders. As the Congress workers jumped on the barricade, the police beat them up mercilessly. All the top senior police officers and a large number of cops were present to thwart the demonstrators.
While speaking at the protest, lovely said before the election BJP had been maintaining that it would bring the prices down but silent on the issue after gaining power at the Centre. “Since the BJP has come to power, Delhiites are facing price rise of essential commodities. Before elections, BJP had promised 30 per cent cheaper electricity. Now, discoms are trying to hike power tariff. People are feeling cheated. They are being forced to tighten belts as prices rise. Congress would continue to fight for people’s welfare.”
Slamming Modi-led Government, DPCC chief spokesperson Mukesh Sharma also said the inaction by the BJP led Centre government has proved that people will continue reel under price rise. “It is doing nothing to control price of essential commodities. Everything is getting expensive during this Government’s regime. BJP’s slogan - ‘Achchhe din aane wale hain’ - was eyewash. People have started feeling ‘bure din’ since BJP has come to power.” Congress’ legislative Party (ClP) leader in Delhi Assembly Yusuf said the common man wouldn’t forgive Prime Minister Modi for reneging on his poll promises. “The Congress party leaders will not remain silent till BJP-led Government takes effective measures to control price rise,” he said.