Congress called for a ‘Bharat bandh’ on September 10 Protest on rise in diesel and petrol prices

New Delhi: 7/9/18:Calling the steep rise in diesel and petrol prices as Rs 11 lakh crore ‘fuel loot,’ the Congress on Thursday called for a ‘Bharat bandh’ on September 10, saying it was in touch with other parties for their support.

The party again demanded that petrol and diesel be brought under Goods and Services Tax (GST). The government had earlier rejected the demand saying most states were opposed to it.

It also demanded that there should be immediate reduction in central excise duty and excessive VAT in the states.

“Many promises were made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi before coming to power in 2014, but none were kept. When questions were raised by Congress President Rahul Gandhi about the Rafale fighter deal and Amit Shah’s son, those too went unanswered,” Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said at a press conference in the Capital.

“The mismanagement of economy has led to high prices. When fuel prices were rising during the UPA regime, taxes were reduced to take the burden off the people. But due to the mismanagement by the current government, the prices of petrol, diesel and gas cylinders have gone up steeply,” he said.

“We decided for the Bharat Bandh call today after a meeting of all party general secretaries and the state leaders,” he said, adding the party was in touch with other opposition parties for their support.

He said Congress workers would protest at petrol stations across the nation between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Congress leader Ahmed Patel said that most opposition parties have given their consent to support the bandh. “Consultations are going on with three or four parties. The SP, RJP and NCP have agreed.”

“We have not consulted BSP yet and so far as TMC is concerned, they have agreed to support the agitation,” he said.