Opposition supports Congress call for Bharat Bandh to protest fuel price rise

The Congress had called for a Bharat Bandh on September 10 to protest the steep rise in petrol and diesel prices and falling value of the Indian rupee vis-a-vis the US dollar . The party has demanded that petrol and diesel be brought under Goods and Services Tax.

The bandh will be observed across the country on September 10, between 9 am and 3 pm

Several Opposition parties have agreed to join the Bandh call. Parties such as DMK, NCP, RJD, JD(S), JVM and JMM have extended their support and the Congress has requested sked civil society groups and NGOs to join the nationwide protest.

The Left parties have also given a call for a bandh on the same day, the Trinamool Congress will organise street protests but would not enforce a shutdown in West Bengal.

The Bharat Bandh will be observed in several states like Maharashtra, Bihar Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, where regional opposition parties have come in support of the bandh call.

Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday made it clear that it will not join the 'Bharat Bandh' called by the Congress

Congress leader Ajay Maken said the party wants petrol and diesel to be brought under the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which would decrease the price by Rs 15-18. He said there should be an immediate reduction in central excise duty and excessive VAT in the states.

He said the Centre had earned Rs 11 lakh crore in the last four years through excise duty on fuel and this money was taken from the common man to fill the government's coffers.