BJP protests hike in petrol and diesel prices

Mumbai, Feb 18 (UNI) The BJP today protested the hike in petrol and diesel prices by riding on bicycles and bullock carts in south Mumbai.

City BJP MLA, Raj Purohit said, ''the way government is increasing petroleum prices, the day is not far off when people will have to give up their two-wheelers and four-wheelers to take up outdated modes of transport like bullock carts and cycles.'' ''Our protest is a grim reminder of the reality, which we are going to face if the trend continues,'' Mr Purohit added.

Daughter of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan and city BJP leader, Poonam Mahajan accused the government of ''cheating'' the people by hiking petroleum prices every now and then.

''The Congress government claims that it is with the poor, but with the hike in petrol and diesel prices, it has demonstrated that it is against the poor,'' said Ms Mahajan.

The increase would have a direct bearing on housewives as their pre-planned budget would go haywire, Ms Mahajan added.

The protestors raised slogans against Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and his son and Mr Milind Deora for the hike in petrol prices.

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