Opposition Congress and Raijor Dal MLAs staged a walkout in the Assam Assembly on Friday while the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) held protests across the state against price rise, inflation and LPG crisis.

The Congress MLAs walked out during the governor’s address, alleging that it failed to acknowledge the hardships being faced by the people because of rising prices. Outside the House, they demonstrated holding placards and raising slogans.

First-time Congress MLA J.P. Das said they had expected the governor to spell out measures to tackle price rise, but the speech focused only on the government’s achievements. “We walked out because the governor did not address our concerns,” he said.

Senior Congress MLA Rekibuddin Ahmed said the governor’s address made no mention of the people’s concerns and struggles due to rising prices.

Friday was the second day of the first session of the Assembly following the formation of the third successive BJP-led government in the state after the April 9 Assembly elections. The BJP-led coalition swept to power with 102 of the 126 seats while the Opposition was reduced to 24 seats.

BJP MLA Jitu Goswami expressed confidence in the governments at the Centre and in the state to handle any situation arising out of price rise.

The AASU also staged protests across the state over rising prices, with its president Utpal Sarma leading a rally in Guwahati. Protesters carried placards and raised slogans against both the Centre and the state government.

Sarma questioned why the government did not think about austerity measures when campaigning for the recently held elections was on.

He said the protests would continue till the Centre and the state government curb price rise.