NDA leaders court arrest over petrol

NEW DELHI: In a move aimed as much at making a dent in the Congress’ claims of being the party of the ‘aam aadmi’ as at reinforcing its image as an aggressive opposition, the NDA on Monday took its protest against the fuel price hike to the streets, with former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, leaders of the Opposition in the two Houses of Parliament, L K Advani and Jaswant Singh, JD(U) president Sharad Yadav, former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi and other senior leaders courting arrest.

In the assessment of the BJP and its alliance partners, the steep hike in the prices of petrol and diesel had not gone down well among the people, especially the middle class, who were already reeling under the impact of the rising prices of foodgrains, other essential commodities and the upward climb of the home-loan interest rates.

The latest hike effected by the government in the fuel prices will, the NDA leaders feel, have a cyclical impact on the prices of other essential items, making life more difficult for the common man, whose earnings has remained more or less stagnant.

The UPA government’s decision to leave it to the states to take a call on the proposal to reduce the sales tax on petrol and diesel so as to cushion the people against the impact of the Centre’s move was also flayed by the NDA leaders, who termed it as “a diversionary ploy” and “a big joke.”

“A strange phenomenon has emerged with the states being asked to share the burden. We have no objection if states cut taxes on their own. But it would be a joke if the Centre leverages its position to exert pressure on the states to slash their taxes,” Mr Vajpayee told a protest gathering here.

The former prime minister, instead, asked the Manmohan Singh government to reduce the central excise and custom duties to bring down prices of petrol and diesel.

“Instead, we’ll force the Centre to reduce its customs and excise duties to bring down fuel costs,” he said.
Mr Vajpayee, who also doubles up as the NDA chairman, came down heavily on ruling alliance for its failure to rein in prices, and poked fun at their claims of being the voice of the “aam aadmi.”

“The government is unable to decide how it should check price-rise. The Congress government is in a state of confusion. The ‘aam aadmi’ is in trouble because of the escalating prices, but the ruling combine has lost its direction,” Mr Vajpayee remarked derisively.

The NDA leaders used the opportunity to hit out at the Left parties for their “sham” opposition to the anti-poor decisions of the Manmohan Singh government.

“Why is the Left not willing to cut sales tax in West Bengal? Why are they protesting price increases even while enjoying the trappings of power?” BJP president Rajnath Singh asked.

At the end of the rally, over 100 MPs belonging to the BJP and its allies courted arrest.