Congress leaders hitch cars to camel carts to protest fuel hike

Congress leaders on Friday organised a rally here in the Rajasthan capital to protest against the hike in petrol and diesel prices under the BJP government.

Congressmen hitched their cars to camel carts to pull them along, in order to demonstrate the plight of common man who, according to the opposition party, cantno afford to ride vehicles.

This year, whatever the subject of a protest in the state — be it inflation or poor law and order situation — the venue has been the Collectorate Circle. But Friday's protest was held in Mansarovar, which is part of Sanganer constituency, because it was organised by Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Pundit Suresh Mishra, who is eyeing a ticket from this seat which is currently represented by BJP rebel leader Ghanshyam Tiwari.

The protesting Congressmen demanded that fuel prices be reduced with cuts in excise duty and sundry taxes. They accused the BJP of turning back on its written poll promise of reducing petrol and diesel prices .

"The common man is suffering of inflated prices of fuel and can't afford to run vehicle. The inflated prices are causing a hike in other commodities and services, which have added to public woes. Hence, we are protesting," said Mishra.