Slams Govt for not reducing petrol, diesel rates
Centre, other States provided relief from price rise
Inefficient Jagan suppressing popular agitations
AMARAVATI: The Telugu Desam Party leaders and cadres took part in one-hour horn protests at petrol bunks all over the State on Tuesday in response to the call given by party National President and former CM N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The TDP activists held banners and placards and raised slogans, criticising the Jaganmohan Reddy Government for not reducing the petrol and diesel rates in Andhra Pradesh. The Chief Minister was not doing anything to provide relief to the common public from rising prices of essential commodities. The protesters kept sounding the horns of their bikes to register their discontent at the high prices of fuels.
The TDP leaders accompanied their followers arrived at the petrol bunks and staged protests between 12 noon and 1 p.m. They demanded that CM Jagan take steps to reduce VAT on fuels without trying to mislead and cheat the general public in the State. All people knew how the AP Government was collecting over Rs. 5 to Rs 7 per litre in excess on fuels when compared to other States.
The Telugu Desam leaders held protests at Dharna Chowk, Bhavanipuram, Benz Circle and other places in Vijayawada city. Former Minister Kollu Ravindra, party state general secretary Panchumarty Anuradha, former mayor Gadde Anuradha and others took part. They asserted that their party would continue its agitation till the Government would give up its adamant attitude on fuel prices.
At some places, the YSRCP Government resorted to preventive arrests of TDP leaders and disallowed them from taking part in protests. Several leaders were taken into custody in Kadapa district during the day.
The TDP leaders took out novel protests by garlading and breaking coconuts in front of petrol and diesel pumps. They sought blessings of the gods for bestowing good sense on the Chief Minister to reduce fuel prices so as to reduce the financial burden on the common public. In Tirupati, former MLA Sugunamma led the TDP protest at the local petrol bunks.
The main opposition party held hour-long protests in Gannavaram, Eluru, Gudivada, Rajahmundry, Tenali, Ponnur, Guntur and other places across the State. MLA Gorantla Butchayya Chowdary, former MLAs Alapati Raja, Dhulipalla Narendra and other leaders took part in protests in their respective places. They urged Jagan Reddy to open his eyes and come to the rescue of the AP people just like how all other States were providing some respite or other to their people.
The TDP leaders demanded the YCP Government to explain to the public why it was not willing to reduce VAT when even the Central Government had reduced fuel price. The higher taxes and price rise in AP have made the lives of poor families miserable. The Jagan regime has become insensitive to the people’s issues. The ruling party leaders were only concerned about their illegal income and corruption.
