Jharkhand finance minister Rameshwar Oraon has described as "illogical" Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s reasoning that the steep rise in fuel prices was linked to increase in demand and predicted a reverse trend in the hikes for next two months ahead of crucial Aassembly elections in four states and a Union territory, including Bengal and Kerala.
On Friday, Pradhan told journalists in Varanasi that the surge in fuel prices was due to increase in demand during the winter after last year’s lockdown period.
Reacting to it on Saturday, Oraon asked the Union minister whether fuel prices were seasonal. “The petroleum minister’s logic is completely illogical and without facts. The reality is that despite the steep fall in crude oil prices, the government has failed to regulate pricing in the country because of its faulty policies and to fill the coffers of its corporate friends. Fuel isn’t a seasonal commodity,” he said.
Speaking to reporters outside Raj Bhavan during a sit-in organised by the Congress, Oraon added that BJP was using fuel as a weapon for its political agenda. “The Union minister said, the prices will certainly ease a bit soon because Assembly elections have been announced in four states and one Uunion territory. I foresee a price slash for about two months now till the time elections are on. Thereafter, the BJP-led government at the Centre will again take the aam-aadmi for a ride with serial hikes,” he said.
In many cities, prices of petrol and diesel have surged to Rs 100 a litre, prompting several Opposition parties to launch a stir. In Jharkhand too, the Congress, which is a part of the ruling coalition government, is holding agitations across the state. After taking out torch rallies on Friday, the grand old party held demonstrations in districts on Saturday.
JMM, the leader of the alliance government in the state, has also announced plans to hit the streets from Sunday. Party spokesperson Vinod Pandey said a two-day protest campaign would be held across the state with torch rallies, marches and sit-ins against the Union government.
