Modi-led BJP govt in the centre has now become ‘loot sarkar’, says Sushmita Dev

July 16: The Narendra Modi-led BJP government in the centre has now become “loot sarkar”. In the last seven years, Rs 25 lakh crore was earned by this government only from petrol and diesel. The common people are just taken for a ride by this government. This was said by former Silchar MP and President of All India Mahila Congress, Sushmita Dev during a protest demonstration against price rise of fuel & household commodities in Silchar on Thursday. “Even today prices of fuel have gone up. It is nothing short of a loot of our citizens,” said Ms Dev.

Raising a protest near petrol pump, Sushmita Dev said, “When the prices of petrol and diesel are hiked, every other commodity in the market becomes expensive. Listening to the appeal of PM Modi, lakhs and crore of people gave up the subsidy on LPG. But now, as they are increasing the price constantly, how can the poor survive? More and more people in the last seven years have been receded to BPL level. 27 crore people in this country has just gone below the level of BPL in this country since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister. Most important factor is that when the price of diesel, petrol and LPG has gone down in the international market, Modi government is increasing the price. That means this government is busy looting the public.”

Ms Dev further said that from I January to 1 July, the Modi-led BJP government has increased the price of petrol and diesel for 65 times. In 200 towns and cities of India, petrol price has crossed Rs.100. All sections of the society are now finding it difficult to survive due to steep price rise. Stating this, the Congress leader said, “Today on behalf of AICC and APCC, we raise the demand to decrease the price of commodities so that common people could survive. In a democracy, the government must work for the benefit of the people, but unfortunately, our government is working against the interests of the poor people. If the government does not listen to our appeal, we will launch a vigorous movement very soon.”

Taking a dig at the “Achhe Din” (good days) slogan of BJP, Sushmita Dev said, “I wish that even the enemies be kept away from the ‘Achhe Din’ which Modi government has given to the people. During the lockdown like situation, people are unable to do business properly and over and above, in such a situation, when prices of everything are increasing at a lightning speed, what will the common people do?”

Slogans against increase in fuel price and other household commodities were raised during the protest demonstration. Present during the occasion were District Congress President Pradip Kr Dey, Partha Ranjan Chakraborty, Sujan Dutta, Sanchita Acharjee, Sajal Banik, Tamal Kanti Banik among others.