The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) put up a united face on Friday, with the various factions coming together to stage protests across the State against the recent increase in rail passenger fare.
The former Union Finance ,Minister P. Chidambaram, participated in the agitation at Sivaganga.
The protest was led in Chennai by the former Union Shipping Minister, G.K. Vasan.
‘No word on reforms’In his brief address, Mr. Chidambaram said the Narendra Modi government had announced the unprecedented increase without uttering a word about reforms, improving passenger amenities, austerity measures or cutting down on extravagant expenditures.
“The BJP, which came to power vowing to create a new India without the Congress, has announced the sharp hike without evaluating the situation and the current rate of inflation,” he alleged.
Mr. Vasan said crores of passengers used the railways daily, and the 14.2 per cent increase in fares would put a huge burden on the common man.