Congress, CPI attack BJP for hike in fuel prices

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress and CPI in Kerala today came out against the hike petrol and diesel prices, saying it would deal a severe blow to the people, already facing hardships due to demonetisation.

While the Petrol prices had been raised by Rs 2.21 per litre, the Diesel prices by Rs 1.79 per litre, excluding local levies. Opposition leader in the state assembly Ramesh Chennithala said the fuel price hike was a like a "bolt from the blue" for the common man who were facing immense difficulties due to the scrapping of high value currency notes.

The state government should waive local taxes to provide some relief due to the hike in fuel rates, Chennithala told reporters at Thrissur.

He also attacked the CPI(M) led LDF government for not taking steps to ensure adequate supply of rice at ration shops in the state.

CPI, a partner of the ruling LDF in the state, also criticised the BJP government at the centre for raising the prices of Petrol and Diesel.

"It will make the life of common man more difficult. The hike had been effected at a time when people are facing lot of difficulties due to demonetisation", CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran said in a statement.