Bhubaneswar: The state Youth Congress took out their anger for rising fuel prices on a poster of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a petrol pump in Khandagiri's Delta Square on Sunday.
The incident led to the arrest of six office-bearers of the Youth Congress, including its state president Lokanath Maharathy.
The protestors rallied through the streets on motorcycles raising slogans against the price hike.
Angry with the recent hike in fuel price, the youth wing of the Congress also threatened to pull down posters of the Prime Minister at all petrol pumps across the state.
"The consumers are burdened with fuel price hike even though crude oil in selling quite low in the international market. The Prime Minister had promised acche din after coming to power, but the good days have turned into bad days for the people. The protest will continue till the price of fuel is slashed," Maharathy said.
He went to add: "We also urge filling station owners to remove the posters of the Prime Minister voluntarily. The protest will continue in other parts of the state as well."
Police said that the Youth Congress supporters were arrested under several sections of Indian Penal Code, including sections 147 (punishment for rioting) and 149 (unlawful assembly) and section 4 of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
The police also said that the youth wing of the Congress had taken out the rally without taking prior permission.
The frequent hike in fuel price has evoked strong criticism from the BJD as well.
The student and youth wing of the BJD on Saturday also staged a silent protest in front of filling stations across the state.
The party has been accusing the NDA government of increasing the excise duty on petrol and diesel, while the BJP has questioned chief minister Naveen Patnaik for not raising the issue at the GST council meeting.
The BJP accused Naveen of sponsoring the Congress to show its intolerance towards the Prime Minister.
"The Congress instead of asking the state government to decrease tax on fuel is working hand in gloves with the ruling party. The BJD has been sensing fear from the BJP, which has been gaining momentum in the state for which it has been utilising the Congress to campaign against the Modi government," said BJP state vice-president Sameer Mohanty.
On the other hand, the BJD refuted the allegations of working in collusion with the Congress over the rise in fuel price.
"We observed the protest on Saturday and the Congress followed our footsteps. The price hike have irked the people who have been supporting the protest," said BJD spokesperson Amar Satpathy.
Cong leader joins BJD
Manas Mangaraj, a Congress leader from Chilika, joined the BJD on Sunday along with his supporters at the official residence of chief minister Naveen Patnaik. "I am very happy about Manas Mangaraj joining the BJD. His joining would help the BJD further strengthen its base in the state," Naveen said.
