Nagpur, May 28 (IANS) Maharashtra Congress Legislative Party Leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the BJP government, accusing it of using ‘religious polarisation, event-mongering, and emotional tactics’ to mask its failures, even as the public reels under inflation, unemployment, fuel price hikes, and economic instability.

Slamming the government over the escalating fuel shortage and skyrocketing prices, Wadettiwar stated, “Diesel is now being rationed and distributed only after checking the vehicle’s RC (Registration Certificate) book. Don’t farmers rely on diesel for agricultural work? The current trajectory indicates that the country could face a lockdown-like situation in the coming days.”

He further predicted that petrol prices could soar to Rs 170 per litre and diesel to Rs 150 per litre in the near future.

“The middle class, farmers, and ordinary citizens will be completely crushed. We are already seeing a reduction in flight frequencies, and the fuel shortage is worsening. The government has actively pushed the country into an economic abyss,” he remarked.

“Instead of addressing critical issues like skyrocketing fuel prices and farmers’ grievances, the ruling party is deliberately orchestrating Hindu-Muslim conflicts to create societal divisions,” he alleged.

Wadettiwar further claimed that the BJP’s entire political strategy revolves around diverting public attention from these fundamental issues. He pointed out the irony in the government’s rhetoric, stating that while they pay lip service to the Constitution, their actions on the ground foster division. He also accused ministers of making highly insensitive remarks, seemingly forgetting the oath of office they took.

Turning his focus to the Maratha reservation issue, the Congress leader took another swipe at the administration. “Manoj Jarange Patil has been protesting continuously, but the government is doing nothing more than blowing smoke with hollow promises. Government Resolutions (GRs) are issued, but they are never implemented. This government has absolutely nothing left to offer the public,” he stated.

Earlier, senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) and former State Finance Minister Jayantrao Patil urged the Maharashtra government to prioritise public interest by immediately waiving the Value Added Tax (VAT) and surcharges on petrol and diesel. Patil made this demand through an official letter addressed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Expressing deep concern over the situation, Patil stated that the continuous hike in fuel prices has severely broken the back of the common man, making immediate relief an absolute necessity.

In his letter to the Chief Minister, Patil highlighted that the ongoing war in the Gulf countries is putting immense strain on the economic stability of both India and Maharashtra. “Inflation has skyrocketed; the prices of edible oil, vegetables, and essential commodities have witnessed a massive surge, directly impacting the common man. To make matters worse, the skyrocketing prices of petrol and diesel are adding fuel to the fire,” Patil noted.

–IANS

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