CPM protests hike in petrol prices

Vijayawada: The Communist Party of India-Marxisit (CPI-M) city unit here on Saturday held a protest at Ansari Park in Governorpet condemning the petrol prices hike. The activists of the CPM raised slogans against the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre for price rise, particularly petroleum prices.

CPM city secretary Ch Baburao, while addressing the activists, said that the UPA government had increased petrol prices 13 times during 2013 alone. He found fault with the government for increasing petrol price by Rs 2 a litre, even before people’s protest stopped for increasing the price by Rs 3 a litre. He said that the government had lost control over petroleum companies, which were increasing the prices frequently.

Baburao said that people were facing severe inconvenience due to the present strike in Seemandhra, including withdrawal of RTC buses and increased prices of essential commodities. He took a dig at the Congress leadership in Delhi for creating political unrest in the State by dividing the State. He held the Congress responsible for differences among Telugu people who are now divided and fighting battles on the streets. The CPM city leaders, D Vishnu Vardhan, M Venkateswara Rao, K Sridevi, V Krishnamohana Rao, P Sambi Reddy and others were present.