Congress leaders try to gherao Parliament; stopped by police

NEW DELHI: Congress leaders today tried to gherao the Parliament House to protest against the BJP-led NDA government over price rise and rail fare hike, but were prevented from doing so due to the heavy security arrangements made in the area for start of the Budget Session.

Congress leaders and workers, led by Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee's President Arvinder Singh Lovely, shouted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Sansad Marg near Parliament Street Police Station.

Several senior leaders Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar, Haroon Yusuf, Sharmistha Mukherjee, Mukesh Sharma and other former MLAs were among those who staged the protest.

Police, which has made elaborate security arrangement at Sansad Marg, prevented the Congress leaders from going towards the Parliament House by erecting barricades.

Speaking to reporters, Lovely said: "Since BJP has come to power, Delhiites are facing price rise of essential commodities. Before elections, BJP had promised 30 per cent cheaper electricity. Now, discoms are trying to hike power tariff. People are feeling cheated. Congress would continue to fight for people's welfare."

Slamming Modi-led Government, DPCC chief spokesperson Mukesh Sharma said: "It is doing nothing to control price of essential commodities. Everything is getting expensive during this government's regime. BJP's slogan - 'Acche Din Aane Wale hain' (Good Days ahead) was just an eyewash. People have started feeling 'Bure Din' since BJP has come to power."

Tytler, a former MP, said the common man wouldn't forgive Modi for reneging on his poll promises.

"We will not sit silent till BJP-led Government takes effective steps to control price rise," he said.