Left parties call for statewide protests on June 9 over fuel price hike

Vijayawada: Left parties on Thursday announced statewide “rasta roko” protests on June 9 against the continuous increase in petrol, diesel and cooking gas prices by the Centre. The decision was taken at a meeting of left parties held in Vijayawada, where leaders also accused the prime minister Narendra Modi-led govt of adopting authoritarian policies and misusing central investigation agencies against opposition leaders.Addressing a press conference after the meeting, CPM state secretary V Srinivasa Rao alleged that the Centre had increased petrol and diesel prices four times recently, placing a heavy burden on common people. He said daily-wage workers, auto drivers, small traders and lower-income groups were being severely affected by rising fuel prices and inflation.The Left parties announced that extensive campaigns, public meetings and seminars would be organised across the state from June 1 to 7 to mobilise public support against the fuel price hike. Srinivasa Rao alleged that nearly Rs 54 in the petrol price comprised Central and state taxes and demanded that both governments reduce taxes to provide relief to consumers. He also urged the TDP to adopt a resolution at the ongoing Mahanadu demanding a reduction in petrol and diesel prices, recalling the party’s earlier promises on fuel price reduction. The CPM leader demanded that 50% of gas and oil produced in the KG Basin be allocated to AP and sought continuation of crude oil imports from Russia and Iran. He also alleged that the Centre was favouring private corporate interests in oil imports and energy projects.The left leaders strongly criticised the ED raids against Kerala's former CM Pinarayi Vijayan, terming them politically motivated. CPI leader P Harinath Reddy alleged that opposition leaders were being selectively targeted while leaders joining the BJP were being given a “clean image”. CPI-ML leaders Jasti Kishore and Chittipati Venkateswarlu criticised the Centre’s economic policies and demanded a reduction of taxes on petroleum products to protect poor and middle-class families from rising financial burdens.