Agartala, May 16: Opposition Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] on Saturday staged a protest rally in Agartala against the recent hike in petrol, diesel and cooking gas prices, alleging that the increase would further worsen the burden on common people already struggling with rising inflation.
The protest was organised under the banner of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of CPI(M). Party leaders and supporters marched through several parts of the city carrying placards and raising slogans against the BJP-led central government. The demonstrators demanded an immediate rollback of the increased fuel and LPG prices, claiming that the hike would directly affect the daily lives of ordinary citizens.
Addressing reporters during the protest, CPI(M) leader and DYFI Tripura state secretary Amal Chakraborty criticised the Centre over the increase in fuel prices. He alleged that the hike in petrol, diesel and cooking gas would trigger another wave of inflation, leading to a rise in prices of essential commodities, including edible oils, vegetables and other household items.
“Petrol, diesel and cooking gas are directly linked to transportation and the supply chain. Whenever fuel prices increase, the prices of all essential goods automatically rise, affecting every household,” Chakraborty said.
He further described the latest hike in LPG cylinder and fuel prices as an “economic bomb” on the people, particularly lower and middle-income families already facing financial hardships due to inflation and unemployment.
The DYFI leader also accused the BJP government of increasing fuel prices “silently during the night” through administrative notifications soon after elections. According to him, the ruling party had earlier promised to control inflation and support the common people but had failed to fulfil those commitments.
Chakraborty further alleged that the BJP was adopting “double standards” and betraying public trust after elections. He asserted that the movement against price rise was also part of the broader political struggle against the BJP government.
The protest concluded with a demonstration in Agartala, where CPI(M) leaders reiterated their demand for immediate withdrawal of the fuel and cooking gas price hike.
