Congress holds protest against hike in prices of fuels in Mangaluru

Mangaluru: Former minister B Ramanath Rai criticised BJP state president BY Vijayendra for blaming the rise in petrol and diesel prices on international crude oil prices, calling him ignorant and lacking the ability to read newspapers to understand the reality.
Rai spoke at a protest meeting organised by the Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee (DCC) in front of the Mini Vidhana Soudha in the city on Monday against the central govt's increase in prices of essential commodities, including petrol, diesel, and cooking gas cylinders.
Rai accused the BJP of misleading people by claiming that crude oil prices increased, though they are decreasing in the international market. "They make childish statements that prices would be even higher under Rahul Gandhi. The Congress has not wronged the poor but has troubled landlords and capitalists. Unemployment and price hikes are major issues in the country, and the govt should address them seriously," Rai noted.
He also criticised the BJP for using recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir for political gain, reminding them of Modi's past statements against terrorism during the UPA govt. He questioned who controls the intelligence, BSF, military, and the home ministry now, as Modi questioned back then.
DCC president Harish Kumar said that while protesting against the state govt, the central govt's cooking gas price hike embarrassed the BJP. He criticised Prime Minister Modi for failing to uphold his promise of making the rupee equal to the dollar, claiming that the rupee lost its value globally under the BJP rule. Former MLA JR Lobo and KPCC general secretary Padmaraj R Poojary also spoke.
Firewood, LPG cylinder in procession
Congress workers protested against the central govt's price hikes, including the Rs 50 increase in cooking gas cylinder prices, by holding a procession with wooden logs and empty gas cylinders. The procession, which went from Ambedkar Circle to Mini Vidhana Soudha, included slogans against the central govt and the display of posters.