Opposition walkout over hike in petroleum product duties

The proposed changes in duties related to petroleum products in the Budget stirred a hornet’s nest on Friday with the entire Opposition staging a walkout from the Lok Sabha and warning that they will not allow Parliament to run till a rollback is announced.

“This is a move that would lead to rise in prices of diesel and petrol and hit the common man already burdened by price rise,” Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj said immediately after the walkout.

The issue united the entire Opposition with Left leaders like Gurudas Dasgupta, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and RJD president Lalu Prasad addressing an impromptu joint press conference outside the Parliament House.

“The entire Opposition is together,” Mr. Prasad thundered attacking the government and accusing it of acting in a “dictatorial manner” against the interests of the common people. He said Parliament would not be allowed to function till a rollback is effected.

Raising anti-government slogans, they chanted “Jo Sarkar Nikammi Hai, Woh Sarkar Badalni Hai” (we have to change the inefficient government).

“We have boycotted the budget. Soon after a discussion on price rise, the government has increased the prices of petroleum products. This is anti-people,” Ms. Swaraj said.

She said any increase in prices of petroleum product will be an “indirect tax” and have a cascading effect on the prices of all commodities.