Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120358900300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

TDP, Left stage dharna on fuel prices

Staff Reporter

After a long time, yellow and red flags flutter together

VIJAYAWADA: The leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Left parties, along with their party cadre, organised a huge dharna in One Town here on Tuesday in protest against the Congress-led UPA government’s ‘unwillingness’ to reduce petrol and diesel prices in the wake of a fall in the international prices of crude.

The Opposition leaders said that the international prices of crude had fallen steeply, paving the way for reduction in fuel prices by more than 100 per cent. They said they were saddened to see the UPA coalition not coming forward to reduce the burden on the common man by cutting down the fuel prices.

The participants in the dharna raised slogans, calling the government’s attitude in this regard “insensitive” towards people’s problems. A large number of women also participated in the protest programme. After a long time, the yellow and red flags were seen fluttering together in the hands of respective party activists.

Speaking on the occasion, TDP urban president Gadde Rammohan said there was a scope for the Congress party to fulfil its election promise of reduction in fuel prices, as the international scenario had improved on this front. “This government has a lot of opportunity to reduce prices significantly. But it is not interested in passing on the benefits to common man. It is unfortunate,” he remarked.

CPI (M) floor leader Ch. Babu Rao said that the ruling Congress would pay a heavy price for its “indifference” to the people’s needs and the Opposition parties would spare no effort to teach the ruling party a befitting lesson in the coming elections.

CPI (M) district secretary V. Umamaheswara Rao and others were present.