AAP protests against fuel price hike

NEW DELHI: The Delhi unit of Aam Aadmi Party ( AAP) hit the streets today protesting against the hike in fuel prices by the Centre.

Party legislators, functionaries and volunteers gathered at Jantar Mantar with placards, protesting against the Centre's decision to hike the fuel rates.

The petrol price was hiked by Rs 3.13 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71 per litre on Friday, the second straight steep increase in rates this month.

"The government is not run by big talks, but with that only the common man suffers," said a message on a placard while another placard read, "Bas ho gayi mehangai ki maar. Kahan gayi Modi sarkar (The inflation has hit the common man hard. Where is the Modi government?)"

Delhi unit convener Dilip Pandey, secretary Saurabh Bharadwaj who is also party's Greater Kailash MLA, legislators Dinesh Mohania (Sangam Vihar) and Madanlal (kasturba nagar) were also present for the protest.

"The government has proved itself anti-famer by bringing in the new land bill. It is already being anti-trader by allowing FDI in retail. And now it is turning out to be anti-middle class by hiking the crude prices.

"When the international crude prices were low in the international market, the government did not pass on the benefit to the common man. And now that the international prices are increasing, it is increasing the crude prices," said AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai.

The party said its other state units would also organise protests.