Delhi: BJP, Congress stage separate protests against VAT hike on fuel

 A day after hike in VAT rates on petrol and diesel in Delhi, BJP and Congress on Thursday accused the AAP government of "cheating and betrayal" as they staged separate protests in the city.

Activists of Youth Congress tried to march towards Kejriwal's residence where they were stopped by a heavy police presence, while water cannons were used to disperse BJP workers near the state Secretariat. Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay said the AAP government's justification to hike the rates did not have any basis as Kejriwal was spending hundreds of crore for "self-glorification".

"Strange comparison is being drawn with other states. Apparently they are rationalising. But this is return gift to Delhiites by increasing VAT due to which price rise is inevitable. This is nothing short of cheating and betrayal with the people of Delhi," he said.

Delhi Congress spokesperson Sharmistha Mukherjee termed the government as one being "full of lies, false promises". "Deliberately misleading people of Delhi....a total betrayal of faith! 526cr publicity budget, 1 lac+ salary (to) party workers costing dear (to) ppl of Delhi," she tweeted.

Petrol prices were on Wednesday increased in the national capital by a steep Rs 2.78 per litre and diesel by Rs 1.83 as the Aam Aadmi Party government raised Value Added Tax (VAT) on them.