Chhattisgarh Congress protests soaring inflation: Leaders take to streets, buy vegetables in market demonstration

RAIPUR: Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, the Chhattisgarh Congress has voiced its concern against rising inflation by taking to the streets. The Congress on Saturday staged a protest against soaring inflation across the state and the party leaders and workers bought vegetables in the markets to mark their protest and send the message among the public.

The Congress workers under the leadership of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress president and Bastar MP Deepak Baij bought vegetable in the Shastri market in state capital Raipur.

Baij said that ginger was being sold at Rs 140 per kg, garlic at Rs 240 per kg which is not affordable for a common man.

The PCC Chief said that vegetables have become so expensive that the common man cannot afford to buy even a kilogram.

Baij said that the Prime Minister, who promised to reduce inflation within 100 days of coming to power, has brought inflation to its highest level in 50 years. The backbone of the public has been broken by inflation.

The budget of the common man's kitchen has been disrupted. The prices of cooking oil, which was Rs 70 and Rs 60 per kilogram respectively, have crossed Rs 200 per kilogram. Not only that, in recent days, due to the brutal blow of GST, items like yogurt, cheese, buttermilk, flour, dried soybeans, peas, and puffed rice have also been affected, with a 5% GST imposed on them. The Modi government is collecting 12% GST on hotel rooms. The gas cylinder, which was Rs. 410 in 2014, is now over Rs 1000. The price of petrol has crossed Rs 100 per liter from Rs. 70 per liter, while the price of diesel has reached around Rs. 9544 per liter from Rs 55 per liter. The price of crude oil is continuously decreasing in the international market. Currently, crude oil is available at half the rate compared to 2014, but the common people are not benefiting from it.

Baij said that Congress will continue to fight for the people against inflation. Today's movement will progress in a systematic manner. We will continue to raise the voice of the people.

Reacting to the Congress demonstration, BJP State spokesperson Kedarnath Gupta said that when Manmohan Singh's government was in power in the country, the inflation rate was 8.4%. Today, the country's inflation rate is within 5%. This certainly shows that the Modi government has not only developed the country but has also controlled inflation.

Meanwhile, BJP State Vice President Laxmi Varma and spokesperson Ranjana Sahu stated that by purchasing daily commodities and vegetables, Congress leaders are merely indulging in political theatrics against inflation. They said that today, the Congress is shedding crocodile tears over inflation, but they should first look into their own past and tell the country how high inflation rates were during the Congress regime. BJP leaders said that during the UPA government's tenure, people were able to afford daily necessities at double the current prices.