Maharashtra: Congress to stage road-blockades on February 9

Maharashtra Congress will organise a state-wide 'rasta-roko' agitation on February 9 to protest against the government's failure to provide relief to drought- affected farmers and pass benefits of falling petroleum prices to consumers.

The decision was taken at a meeting of state office-bearers and district unit chiefs in Mumbai. Party spokesperson Ratnakar Mahajan said despite fall in international crude prices, the benefit had not been passed on to the consumers.

Congress would also protest against amendments to the Land Acquisition Act, he said.

A resolution condemning deletion of the words secular and socialist from the Centre's advertisement on the Republic Day was passed at the meeting. State Congress chief Manikrao Thakre chaired the meeting where the party general secretary Mohan Prakash was also present.