BJP, Cong Both Accountable for Fuel Prices: Mayawati After Bandh

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Tuesday blamed both Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress equally responsible for fuel price hike.

(Photo altered by The Quint)

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Tuesday blamed both Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress as equally responsible for fuel price hike.

“Our party holds BJP and Congress equally responsible for rising fuel prices in the country,” said Mayawati as quoted by ANI.

Mayawati’s comments come just a day after her party’s dismal show in the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by the Congress against rising fuel prices in the country. The bandh was supported by major Opposition parties across states.

Her statement is also seen as a dent in the united face the Opposition is trying to project against the BJP ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Congress's 'Bharat Bandh' had little impact on normal life in Uttar Pradesh on Monday as most commercial establishments and educational institutions operated as usual, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath slammed the Opposition for having a "negative thinking".

Amidst tight security by the state government, commercial establishments, offices, schools and colleges operated as per their regular schedule and vehicular traffic in main towns and cities of the state remained unaffected by the bandh.

Heavy police deployment was ensured at important places, especially petrol pumps, a senior police officer said.

While the Samajwadi Party (SP) in the state supported the bandh, party workers of both SP and BSP were reported to be missing from the ground. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav while addressing the media, however, had slammed the ruling BJP over the issue.

"While the opposition is protesting, prices of petrol and diesel have been hiked again this morning. This reflects the government's audacity and arrogance and callousness towards the common man,” Yadav had said on Monday.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)