To build pressure on the BJP-led NDA Government the Uttar Pradesh unit of Congress will burn the effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over hiked prices of petrol and diesel on May 6. Congress's State Presiden Nirmal Khatri said in a statement issued here on Sunday that the Union government has passed on the burden of increase in prices of crude oil in international market on consumers. This is done with an aim to benefit capitalists because the Government is working only for the benefit of capitalist class, he said.
He said this is real irony that when prices of crude il were low in international market the Government did not reduce prices in that ratio. When price of crude oil was $107 per barrel petrol cost Rs 70 per litre but when the crude oil price came down to $50 per barrel the petrol price was reduced to just Rs per liter. “This shows that the Union Government has not passed on the cut to consumers on same ratio. And now when prices have gone up it has hiked prices by almost Rs 4.50 per liter. This is done with only intention to extend maximum profit to petroleum companies,” he said.
The Congress state chief said that the increase in prices will affect the common man. Prices of all essential commodities have gone up which in turn will help the middle man. The farmers, who ahev lost their crop in unseasonal rains will have to bear the brunt, he said. “To oppose the lopsided policies of the Union Government the congress party will stage a protest against NDA Government and burn the effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.