Will hold rallies in Delhi to oust anti-people Modi govt: Abhishek

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress will organise rallies in Delhi to oust the anti-people Modi government at the Centre, said Trinamool Youth Congress president and party MP Abhishek Banerjee.

He was addressing a gathering to protest against the hike in the price of petroleum products at Dorina Crossing on Monday afternoon.

Banerjee said the prices of petrol and diesel have gone up even on Monday and the Centre has made no attempts till date to reduce the prices of petroleum products.

He said BJP had asked the state government to reduce state excise and VAT. Between 2014-18, Central excise has been increased nine times, while there has been "zero" rise in state excise and VAT.

Banerjee alleged that to divert the attention of people, BJP has brought up the Hindu- Muslim issue. "This trick will not work any more. Whenever there is any major problem in the country, BJP immediately brings in Hindu-Muslim and communal issues to divert the attention of people."

He said Trinamool is the first political party to raise its voice against the Centre. Immediately after the prices of petroleum products started soaring, party supremo Mamata Banerjee had criticised it. Trinamool Youth Congress started a dharna and held rallies in South and North Kolkata over the issue.

"We will continue to protest against the anti-people government till it is ousted," he said.

State Urban Development and Municipal Affairs minister Firhad Hakim said BJP national president Amit Shah has said that the party will remain in power for 50 years, but in reality if it stays for more than five days, people's ordeal will go up.

"Forget about BJP remaining in power at Delhi for 50 years. If they stay for five more days it will be bad for the country. It is a party whose only business is to loot people," said Hakim.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress leaders and workers took part in a rally to protest against the prices of petroleum products on Monday. The rally started from Moulali and ended at Dorina Crossing, where a meeting was organised.