Mamata Banerjee Rides Electric Scooter to Protest Against Fuel Price Hike

Kolkata: In protest against the surging fuel prices in the country, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rode a pillion on an electric scooter.

Helmet clad Mamata was seen sitting behind state minister Firhad Hakim during the journey from Hazra More to the state secretariat. She also put on a placard hung around her in protest against the rise in fuel prices. The placard, bearing a demonic face, read: "What is in your mouth? Petrol price hike. Diesel price hike. Cooking gas price hike"

While addressing the media persons after reaching the secretariat, Mamata slammed the ruling government who according to her only make false promises and have done nothing to bring down the fuel prices. She also emphasized the difference in petrol prices when the Modi Government came to power and the present situation.

Calling the BJP an anti-people's party, Mamata said that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are selling the country.

Mamata Banerjee also criticised the BJP government for renaming the Sardar Patel Stadium, popularly known as the Motera stadium, in Ahmedabad after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Petrol rates in several cities in the country have crossed the Rs 90-mark. In Kolkata the fuel price has surged to Rs 91.12, Bengaluru (Rs 93.98), Bhubaneshwar (Rs 92), Chennai (Rs 92.90), Hyderabad (Rs 94.54), Jaipur (Rs 97.34), Patna (Rs 93.56) and Thiruvananthapuram (Rs 92.81).

However, the Centre defending the rise said that an increase in international crude oil prices, triggered by production cuts by major oil-producing countries, has led to a sharp rise in petrol and diesel rates in India over the past few months.

Meanwhile the apex body of road transporters, AITWA has extended their support to the nationwide strike and called for a 'Chakka jam' tomorrow on February 26, against the hike in fuel prices. They further demanded to replace the E-Way bill with an e-invoice.

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