New Delhi: Leaders of various opposition parties led by Congress have kickstarted the country-wide protest against rising fuel prices here on Monday. At least 21 opposition parties, led by the Congress, are participating in the ‘Bharat Bandh‘ or shutdown today to protest the rise in fuel prices in the country and depreciation of the rupee. Congress president Rahul Gandhi joined protests in Delhi this morning.
Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had refused to join the bandh, also sent its leader Sanjay Singh. Top opposition leaders like Sharad Pawar, MK Stalin and Left leaders have supported the bandh, while Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress has decided to stay away. The effect of the shutdown is especially evident in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala and Bihar.
Rahul Gandhi went to Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial Rajghat in Delhi to join the protest called by his party. This is his first public appearance since he returned from Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh also participated in the protests in the capital.
“The (Narendra) Modi government has done a number of things that were not in the interest of the nation. The time to change this government will come soon,” Singh said.
