AAP Protests State Government's Fuel Price Hikes with Symbolic Demonstrations
Bengaluru: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, led by Mohan Dasari,
voiced strong opposition against the state government's fuel price hikes at Freedom
Park and various locations across the city on Tuesday. They staged symbolic
protests, garlanding two-wheelers and staging a mock funeral to highlight their
discontent.
Dasari criticized the government for increasing
excise taxes threefold since taking office in May 2023, alongside substantial
hikes in property guideline rates and vehicle taxes. He alleged these measures
are burdening the common people to fund various schemes, questioning the
government's commitment to effective resource management.
The state government claims to allocate significant
funds for guarantee schemes but simultaneously burdens citizens with
taxes," Dasari remarked. "Stopping corruption and commission
practices could free up resources that would benefit both development and
guarantee projects.
AAP officials highlighted the success of similar
schemes in Delhi under CM Arvind Kejriwal's leadership, attributing it to
transparent governance and efficient resource utilization. They accused the
state government of hastily implementing free schemes for political gains,
perpetuating corruption and commission issues.
The protest drew participation from several party
leaders and activists, including Sanchit Sehwani, Prakash Nedungadi, and
Jagdish V Sadam, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with current
governance practices.