Jharkhand Politics: Babulal Marandi Criticizes Hemant Soren Over Petrol-Diesel Price Hike in Jharkhand, Demands Immediate Reversal

Ranchi, December 26, 2024: Babulal Marandi, the state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has launched a strong attack on the Hemant Soren-led government over its proposed hike in petrol and diesel prices. Marandi accused the government of burdening the common people by imposing a cess on fuel, which he claims will lead to an increase of ₹2-3 per liter. He has demanded the immediate reversal of this decision, labeling it as “anti-public” and detrimental to the people of Jharkhand.

Babulal Marandi’s Attack on Hemant Government

Babulal Marandi took to social media to express his discontent with the state government’s plan to increase fuel prices. In a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Marandi directly tagged Chief Minister Hemant Soren, accusing him of attempting to raise revenue by placing an additional burden on the public. According to Marandi, this move will not only increase fuel prices but also lead to a rise in the cost of essential commodities.

“The government’s decision to impose a cess on petrol and diesel will increase prices by ₹2-3 per liter, which will directly affect the common man,” Marandi stated in his post. He further criticized the Hemant Soren government for failing to honor its election promises and said that the decision would lead to an economic crisis for the people of Jharkhand.

Petrol and Diesel Price Hike Concerns

The Jharkhand government’s proposed cess on petrol and diesel comes at a time when fuel prices are already high across the country. Babulal Marandi emphasized that this additional tax would place an undue burden on the daily lives of the people, particularly in a state like Jharkhand, where many rely on fuel for transportation and other essential services.

This move by the Hemant Soren government has raised concerns about the cascading effect it could have on the prices of daily goods and services. Marandi pointed out that such a hike could lead to an increase in transportation costs, which would, in turn, make everyday items more expensive for the average consumer.

Public Backlash and Demand for Reversal

The decision to increase fuel prices has already sparked significant public backlash. Babulal Marandi, along with other BJP leaders, has called for the government to immediately withdraw the cess and rethink its approach to revenue generation. Marandi also accused the Hemant Soren government of betraying the public, referencing the election promises made by the Chief Minister during the campaign.

Marandi’s comments have found support from various sections of the public who are concerned about the impact of this decision on their day-to-day lives. With the festive season approaching, the timing of the fuel price hike has further intensified public outrage, as people fear that the price rise will put a strain on their finances.

The BJP leader has demanded that the government take immediate action to reverse the decision, stating that the public’s well-being should take precedence over revenue generation strategies that hurt the common man.

Hemant Government’s Response

As of now, the Hemant Soren government has not issued an official response to the criticism. However, sources within the government suggest that the decision to impose a cess on fuel is part of an effort to address the state’s revenue shortfall. The government has also indicated that it will take into account the concerns of the public before finalizing the decision.

The issue of fuel price hikes has become a major point of contention in Jharkhand politics, with both the ruling and opposition parties gearing up for further debates on the matter.