Vijayawada: The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Monday staged statewide protests against the recent increase in petrol and diesel prices, accusing the coalition government of burdening the public despite pre-election promises to reduce fuel taxes. Responding to a call from party president and former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, YSRCP leaders and activists organized rallies, dharnas, padayatras, and symbolic demonstrations across Andhra Pradesh.
Memorandums submitted to authorities
Memorandums demanding an immediate rollback of fuel prices were submitted to district collectors, revenue divisional officers, and tahsildars. Party leaders alleged that the fuel price hike has severely impacted farmers, middle-class families, transport workers, and daily wage earners, while also pushing up the prices of essential commodities.
Creative protests in various districts
In Vijayawada West, former minister Velampalli Srinivasa Rao pulled an autorickshaw with ropes near the Vidyadharapuram tahsildar office. In Vijayawada East constituency, NTR district YSRCP president Devineni Avinash led a rally where motorcycles were placed on bullock carts to depict the financial burden on common people. Former minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy and MLC Chandrasekhar Reddy organized a rickshaw rally in Nellore, while former MLA Koramutla Srinivasulu tied autos to buffaloes as part of the protest in Railway Koduru.
The YSRCP has vowed to continue agitations until the government rolls back the fuel price hike, which they claim violates the promises made during the election campaign.
