Bengaluru: Opposition Congress leaders have finally hit the street over the fuel price hikes, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar and Congress legislators ride on bullock carts to attend the monsoon session in Vidhana Soudha. 

Congress leaders had scuffled with police officers when they denied them to enter Vidhana Soudha with bullock carts; later the police have allowed Bullock carts to enter Vidhana Soudha. 

It was the first time Congress leaders conducted a unique protest against the Centre to condemn fuel price hikes. The procession has started from Siddaramaiah’s residence near Shivananda circle. Both Siddaramaiah and D.K.Shivakumar came to Vidhana Soudha in one bullock cart. Though Shivakumar has started his journey from Sadashivanagar, near Vidhana Soudha, he joined with Siddaramaiah. 

Opposition leaders in the Legislative Council, S.R. Patil, KPCC working President, Ramalinga Reddy, Eshwar Khandre, Saleem Ahamed, party leaders, Dr. G. Parameshwara, M.B. Patil, Priyank Kharge have attended the protest rally. 

Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah criticized that the Centre has unnecessarily blamed the previous Congress government for hiking fuel prices. But there is no truth and substance in BJP’s defence. Narendra Modi leg government spreading false narrative regarding fuel price hike, though the crude oil price is less, the government has hiked fuel price hike, Mr. Siddaramaiah said. 

KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar hinted that Congress will continue its agitation against fuel hikes and price rises. 

“No government’s has hiked such steep fuel price hike in the past. We are paying more petrol and diesel rates compared to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan”, he said.