BJP flays hike in petrol, diesel prices

Hyderabad, July 11 (TNN): The increase in the prices of petrol, diesel and essential commodities has evoked a strong protest from the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP).Voicing its strong disapproval of the move, the BJP on Saturday attempted to picket the Raj Bhavan. However, the police intervened and foiled their move.
 
"The move is unjustified and untimely,'' said the BJP sources.The BJP feels the country is passing through a difficult phase and such a step would add to the burden being faced by the people. "This is not the time for such a move'', they said.The Government had not hiked the prices when they rose in the international market, then why are they raising them now, they questioned.
 
BJP senior leaders said the increase would place an unbearable burden on the consumers.Taking people’s faith in the party into consideration, the government should now activate the vigilance wing and take action against unscrupulous traders to avoid wrong signals that the government colluded with traders for gain, they said.They said that Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar claimed bumper harvest during the last five years. “Then why are prices of essential commodities soaring?” they asked.The Congress Governments usually create artificial scarcity and act amicably with traders, the BJP charged.