In a show of resistance against the rising fuel prices, Maharashtra Congress took out bicycle rally in Mumbai and other parts of the state on Thursday. What was evident was that the party failed to adhere to COVID-19 protocols with the impending third wave upon us.
Physical distancing went for a toss when huge crowds gathered during the rallies, while hardly few wearing masks.
State Congress President Nana Patole, Mumbai party chief Bhai Jagtap, ministers, legislators and other senior leaders pedaled their way from Hanging Garden to Raj Bhavan in Malabar Hill in south Mumbai.
While PWD minister Ashok Chavan led a protest in Nanded City where huge crowd had gathered to protest against the fuel price hike by the Modi government, workers were seen without masks without maintaining physical distancing.
While some carried banners or posters, the others raised slogans attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre for its failure to control the spiraling prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas.
Later, the Congress leaders called on Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to apprise him of the issue which has created havoc with the common man and led to runaway inflation affecting all sectors of the economy, said a party spokesperson.
The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Governor highlighting the demands and the problems of very survival encountered by the ordinary masses due to the fuel price hikes that has led to a cascading effect on prices of all other commodities or services.
Today's agitation was part of the 10-day long drive organised by the Congress all over Maharashtra to create public awareness on the issue with bullock-cart processions, bicycle rallies, foot-marches, social media campaigns, mass-contact programs, etc, said the spokesperson.
(With inputs from agencies)