TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Slamming the BJP government in Goa and at the centre for the price rise, the Congress on Friday hit the streets of Margao demanding a roll back in the prices of essential commodities.
The party has said that it will file a charge sheet with the Governor next week, highlighting the failure of the government on all fronts.
Led by GPCC President John Fernandes, Congress leaders and workers staged a dharna outside the South Goa district Collectorate with party flags and banners, demanding a roll back in the prices.
John later told the media that the Congress has held the dharna at Margao since the Chief Minister has imposed section 144 of the CrPC in Panjim city. He said the people are suffering on account of the rising prices, while demanding a roll back.
When it was pointed out that the Congress too had failed to check the rising prices, John said the people had rejected the Congress by voting the BJP to power, but the new government has utterly failed to live up to the aspirations of the people. “The government is backed by the traders. They will never contain the rising prices and will do so only on the eve of the elections to fool the people,” he said.
Questioned why the Congress MLAs have so far not made a noise on the price hike in the Legislative Assembly, John shot back saying the party workers have taken the initiative, while exuding confidence that the party MLAs would take up the burning issue in the House.
Party general secretary Pratima Coutinho said the government has failed on all fronts and is only trying to misguide the people on the price rise. Coutinho has questioned the government decision to raise the prices of petrol and diesel from August 1.
Former Panchayat Minister, Babu Azgaonkar warned the government that the people will not sit quietly and watch if harassment to the minorities do not end immediately.
