The people s vociferously to the steep hike in power tariff by the government. The Opposition parties took to streets and organised relay hunger strikes, while the chamber of commerce and other associations opposed it vehemently on Monday.
Leaders of the Left parties — CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML) and New Democracy — leaders sat on a mass relay hunger strike at Tummalapalli Kshetrayya Kalakshetram here. On the occasion, MLC Boddu Nageswara Rao alleged that the State government had deceived the people on power tariff hike. The Congress Party, during 2009 elections, promised that the power tariff would not be increased. The government had spoiled every sector in the State, he said. There were no concrete measures to curtail the prices of essential commodities. On other hand, the government had steeply increased the power tariff, petrol prices, etc. he pointed out.
CPI city secretary D. Sankar, CPI(M) city secretary Ch. Babu Rao, Rythu Sangham leader Kolli Nageswara Rao, CPI assistant secretary P. Durga Bhavani and others were present. The BJP leaders, including city president D. Umamaheswara Raju, and general secretary K. S. Armugam and office secretary Kalaganti Ramprasad, observed indefinite hunger strike near Sub-Collector’s office on Bandar Road.
Telugu Mahila Urban president Mukkanti Narayanamma, secretary Kamella Devamani and others sat on a relay hunger strike to express their solidarity to the TDP presidents hunger strike at Kakinada, here at Pipula Road.
Vijayawada Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Velampalli Ramachandra Rao said that the power tariff hike was a burden on domestic as well commercial and industrial consumers. Hence, the government should review the decision, he added..
Andhra Pradesh State Backward Classes Welfare Association activists took out a rally in Bhavanipuram in protesting against the hike and power cuts. Association executive secretary P. Venkata Mahesh and others staged protests by wearing black T shirts and raised slogans against the hike.
