Yashwant-led BJP workers gherao CM's residence protesting price hike

Ranchi, May 12 (UNI) Thousands of BJP activists, led by former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha, today launched a 12-day agitation making desperate attempt to gherao Chief Minister Madhu Koda's official residence to protest the state government's alleged failure to check price hike and corruption.

Mr Sinha, who braved a scorching sun to march from historical Morhabadi Ground and almost managed to break police barricade near the Chief Minister's residennce on Knake Road, however, fainted. He was rushed to a city-based hospital.

The party workers first gathered at Morabadi ground and took out a procession at about 1400 hrs leading to the high security zone.

As police stopped them about hundred yeards from the CM's residence, some managed to break the cordon and reached near the CM residence's gate shouting anti-government slogans.

The agitators then sqautted on the road for more than an hour.

Mr Sinha during his speech came down heavily on the Koda government, saying the Chief Minister failed to control price hike and purge the governance of corruption.

Party's state spokesperson Biranchi Narayan said their agitation would continue till May 23.

'' Similar protest march will be taken out every day in the state capital by the workers from two districts each during this period, '' he added.

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