Why BJP remained silent all these years when fuel prices increased, asks Saleem Ahmed

Legislative Council Chief Whip Saleem Ahmed said the BJP should be ashamed for holding protests against the fuel price hike today, when it remained silent all these years when its own government has increased the price several times in the past.

Speaking to reporters in Hubballi on Thursday, Mr. Ahmed sought to know where the BJP workers were when the NDA government increased the prices of petrol from ₹65 to ₹105 and the price of LPG cylinders from ₹400 to ₹1,200. “When prices of essential commodities skyrocketed, where were these BJP workers? » he asked.

He said BJP workers who remained silent over the rise in fuel prices for the last four years suddenly woke up to a ₹3 hike by the Congress government in the state.

“Their protest is not against the rise in fuel prices but against the guarantee schemes which have benefited the needy. They want to put an end to guarantee systems,” he said.

Mr. Ahmed said that in line with the assurances given to the voters of the state, the Congress-led government has implemented all the guarantee schemes announced in the manifesto. However, the BJP is opposed to the guarantee schemes and wants the government to end them, which it says will not happen.

“Congress is committed to upholding the assurances given to the people and will not withdraw the guarantee schemes at any cost,” he said.

Regarding party candidates in the indirect elections, he said it was still premature to comment on the issue as the process has not yet started. But at present, the party is working to consolidate its position in the respective districts by further strengthening the workers’ network.

The party-appointed observers will visit constituencies, collect information from workers and then decide on the party’s candidate, he said.

On whether he is among the candidates for Shiggaon Assembly constituency, Mr Ahmed said he is already a member of the Council and any decision regarding fielding a candidate will be taken by the high command of the party in consultation with party leaders and on the basis of opinion. workers.