The Congress on Saturday announced a three-phase campaign called “Mehangai-Free India Campaign” against the price hike, under which it will hold rallies and processions across the country from March 31 to April 7. Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a statement It was stated at the press conference here that in the first phase of the campaign, Congress workers and the general public will protest outside their homes and in public places on March 31.
He said people would wear garlands on LPG cylinders, drums and bells to raise the issue of inflation and “draw the attention of the deaf BJP government” against the irresistible rise in prices of cooking gas, petrol and diesel. “The Congress president, in consultation with the party general secretary and state functionaries, has decided to champion the people’s cause in a three-pronged program – the Mehangai-Free India Campaign,” Surjewala said.
From April 2 to April 4, Congress will organize dharnas and processions at district level across the country with NGOs, religious, social organizations and resident welfare organizations, he added. On April 7, the party, with the help of social and religious organizations, NGOs and the people, will hold a “Mehangai-free India” dharna and a procession at all state headquarters, Surjewala said.
“The people of India (Narendra Modi) have been deceived, deceived and deceived by the Modi government. After securing the prices of petrol, diesel, gas cylinders, piped natural gas (PNG) and CNG for 137 days to secure the people’s vote, the last one week has become a nightmare for every family, “he added. Petrol and diesel prices have been hiked by 80 paise per liter – the fourth increase in five days – a total of Rs 3.2 per liter.
“Apart from the daily increase in petrol and diesel prices, the complex rise in prices of gas cylinders, PNG and CNG has proved the Modi government’s message – ‘Blow people away, fill the coffers’,” he complained. The decision to launch the movement was taken at a meeting of Congress general secretary and state in-charges here on Saturday. The meeting also discussed the recruitment of party members and the current political situation in the country.
Congress General Secretary (Organization) Casey Venugopal presided over the meeting at the party headquarters here. The meeting was attended by party leaders Priyanka Gandhi Bhadra, Omen Chandy, Mukul Wasnik, Tariq Anwar, Surjewala, Ajay Maken and Treasurer Pawan Kumar Bansal.
The meeting comes in the wake of the party’s embarrassing defeat in the recent assembly elections in five states.
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