Sikkim Congress
Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee president Bharat Basnet addressing media persons at Gangtok on September 8, 2018. Image - Northeast Now

Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) president Bharat Basnet has announced its support to the nationwide Bharat bandh called by the Congress party to protest the fuel price hike on Monday from 10 AM to 3 PM.

Basnet announced that the Sikkim Congress will stage it protest in front of SNOD complex in Deorali on 10 August and appealed political parties, organisations, business community, drivers and members of transport sector and general people the protest. A Congress leader, Captain Dabur, who is coming to Sikkim on Saturday evening, will join the protest.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Basnet stated, “Price rise of fuels and other commodities has broken all records in these four-and-half years of the NDA Government in the country.”

He stated that inflation has become intolerable in Narendra Modi’s Government. He alleged that the people of India were sad with economic policies of the Central Government, so the people were coming to show their anger in this bandh.

Basnet stated that the price rise of petroleum has directly affected prices of every commodity.

He stated, “All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders have been continuously raising this issue in the Parliament.”

“This is not the Congress party movement but the people’s movement. So, I would like to request everyone to join the protest,” said Basnet.

He also urged the State Government to give exemption in the State taxes to fuel to give some relief to the people of Sikkim.

Sagar Chhetri is Northeast Now Correspondent in Gangtok. He can be reached at: [email protected]