‘CENTRE LOOTING CITIZENS; PRICE HIKES COULD SPARK ANGER’

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana slammed the Centre on Friday over the rising prices of cooking gas and fuel and said that the government is busy “looting” the poor and middleclass population. The editorial pointed out that Centre has earned ₹23 lakh crore through cooking gas, and ₹1.12 lakh crore through GST (goods and services tax) in August alone, but there is no respite from price hikes for the common citizens. The mouthpiece warned that continuous hike in prices could spark anger against the Narendra Modi government.

The party also lauded former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who on Wednesday, launched an attack on the Centre over inflation by asserting that “GDP growth” for the government meant “increase in Gas, Diesel and Petrol prices”.

“The Modi government says the wheels of economy have accelerated. However, the economic cycle for the poor and middle-class people has slowed down. Several public sector units (PSUS) have been divested to raise money in the government’s coffers. Insurance companies and banks are being sold to private players. The government is running away from its responsibilities,” the editorial said.

“Inflation is on the rise, and if this continues, how long will it take for the spark of people’s anger to cause an explosion [against the government],” the editorial stated, adding, “The government is busy looting everybody now, but the entire country is coming together against this loot.”

State BJP spokespersons said they do not comment on Saamana editorials as a part of their party’s policy.