Bharat Bandh: BJP defends fuel prices hike, says it's momentary and caused by global factors

Amid massive protests and violence owing to nationwide Bharat Bandh called by All India Congress Committee backed by 21 other political parties, BJP, on the other hand, defends the rapid rising of oil prices.

Union Minister of IT Ravi Shankar Prasad today in defence said that Petrol prices should come down and the government will find out a way for this. Prasad said that international factors are responsible for the problem of rising fuel prices even so he mentioned that rising fuel prices were momentary. Some factors he cited are instability in Venezuela and sanctions imposed on Iran.

According to him consumption is growing more and more but production is not growing at par, therefore supply becomes limited. Prasad said, "We are standing with the people in their concern, but this is a problem whose solution is not in our hands."

He stated that the Modi government has worked a lot to bring down inflation and has achieved success as well. As mentioned by him inflation was 10.4 per cent between 2009-14 of UPA rule and is now 4.7 per cent.

He further criticized the Congress and its allies, alleging that they turned to violence during the Bharat Bandh because of lack of support from the masses.

He again reiterated, "We are standing with the people in their concern, but this is a problem whose solution is not in our hands."

He opined that Bharat Bandh has been unsuccessful and BJP condemn the violence being used to instill fear among citizens across the country.

Prasad referred to the alleged tragic death of a girl in Bihar's Jehanabad district during the Bandh and demanded investigation against the culprits responsible for it.

He said, "Everyone has a right to protest but what is happening today? Petrol pumps and buses being set ablaze, putting to risk lives. A child died after an ambulance was stuck in the protests in Jehanabad. Who is responsible?"