Congress Leaders Stage Protest in Patna Over LPG Cylinder Shortage
In a significant demonstration of political dissent, Bihar State Congress president Rajesh Ram, accompanied by numerous senior party officials, organized and participated in a protest rally in Patna on Friday. The primary grievance centered on the acute shortage of LPG cylinders across the state, a situation that has exacerbated the financial strain on many households.
Criticism of Central Government's Economic Policies
During the protest, Rajesh Ram delivered a pointed critique of the central government's economic strategies. "The flawed and misguided economic policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have directly led to skyrocketing prices of essential commodities like LPG, petrol, and diesel," Ram asserted. He emphasized that this inflationary trend has disproportionately impacted middle-class families, the economically disadvantaged, and other vulnerable groups, making it increasingly challenging for people to manage their daily kitchen expenses and household budgets.
Ram further highlighted that electricity tariffs have also seen a notable increase, compounding the financial burdens faced by consumers. He reiterated the Congress party's commitment to persistently advocate for the populace, urging the government to implement measures to stabilize prices and ensure the seamless availability of LPG cylinders without any logistical hurdles or delays.
Phased Approach to Raising Public Issues
Elaborating on the party's strategy, Ram explained that the Congress has adopted a systematic, phased approach to addressing public concerns. This recent protest follows a series of organized mass demonstrations held at block headquarters throughout the state just a day earlier, on Thursday. These coordinated efforts aim to amplify the voices of affected citizens and pressure authorities into taking corrective action.
Prominent Participants in the Protest
The protest witnessed the participation of several high-profile Congress figures, underscoring the party's unified stance on this issue. Notable attendees included:
- Madan Mohan Jha, former state Congress chief and minister
- Sameer Kumar Singh, MLC
- Prem Chandra Mishra, former MLC
- Amita Bhushan, former MLA
- Pratima Kumari Das, former MLA
- Kapildeo Prasad Yadav, disciplinary committee chairman
- Brajesh Prasad Munnan, senior functionary
- Bijendra Chaudhary, senior functionary
Additionally, a substantial number of dedicated party workers joined the rally, lending their support to the cause and demonstrating widespread grassroots concern over the LPG shortage and rising living costs.
