Chandigarh, May 30
The Punjab Congress on Friday mounted a coordinated offensive across the state, staging simultaneous protests against spiraling fuel prices and runaway inflation. From district headquarters to bustling market squares, party leaders and workers converged in large numbers, turning local demonstrations into a unified chorus of dissent.
Addressing the gathering in Ludhiana, former DCC (Urban) president and senior Congress leader Pawan Dewan said, “The continuous rise in petrol, diesel and cooking gas prices has made life difficult for ordinary people. Inflation is hitting every section of society. Today, the Congress Party raised the voice of the people by staging protests against the BJP government’s anti‑people policies. We demand an immediate reduction in the prices of petrol, diesel, and gas to provide relief to the public.”
Meanwhile, senior leaders, sitting and former MLAs, district presidents, and grassroots cadres led rallies, marches, and dharnas, denouncing the BJP‑led Central Government for imposing policies that have deepened the economic distress of farmers, traders, transporters, employees, and daily wage earners. Protesters carried placards and raised slogans, accusing the Centre of ignoring consumer welfare while relentlessly burdening households with rising costs of petrol, diesel, cooking gas, and essential commodities.
Addressing gatherings across Punjab, Congress leaders warned that repeated fuel price hikes have unleashed a cascading effect on the entire economy. Transportation costs have soared, pushing up the prices of food and daily necessities, leaving urban and rural families alike struggling to balance their budgets. Farmers, they said, are bearing the brunt of higher input and logistics costs, while small businesses and the middle class are being squeezed by relentless inflation.
The protests were positioned as part of a broader statewide campaign to mobilize public opinion on inflation, unemployment, and the rising cost of living. Speakers charged that the Centre has prioritized revenue collection over relief for citizens, demanding immediate corrective measures to ease the burden on ordinary people.
Congress leaders cautioned that if fuel prices and inflation continue unchecked, the agitation will escalate in the coming weeks. They emphasized that the coordinated demonstrations reflect growing public anger and reaffirm the party’s resolve to stand as a vocal opposition force on economic issues that strike at the heart of everyday life.
The statewide protests marked one of the most visible and synchronized campaigns by the Punjab Congress in recent months, underscoring its intent to project itself as the principal challenger to the Centre’s economic policies.
