Rajahmundry, May 17: YSRCP East Godavari district president and former minister Chelluboina Venu Gopala Krishna announced statewide protest programmes against the steep increase in petrol and diesel prices, demanding that the Chandrababu Naidu government immediately reduce fuel prices at least to the levels prevailing in neighbouring states. Addressing the media at former MLA Jakkampudi Raja’s residence in Rajahmundry along with former minister Taneti Vanitha and YSRCP youth wing president and former MLA Jakkampudi Raja, he said the protests are being organised across all 175 Assembly constituencies following directions from former Chief Minister and YSRCP President Shri YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. He said YSRCP would organise dharnas in association with farmers’ organisations, public associations, auto unions, and lorry unions across the state. Venu Gopala Krishna accused Chandrababu Naidu and Lokesh of deceiving people after making loud promises before elections that fuel prices would be reduced once TDP came to power. Instead of reducing taxes, he said, the government pushed Andhra Pradesh to the top position in the country in petrol and diesel prices, with petrol reportedly touching ₹113.62 per litre. He alleged that before elections, TDP leaders created political drama by visiting fuel stations in neighbouring states, taking selfies, and blaming the then YSRCP government despite fuel pricing being largely linked to central policies. Today, however, the same leaders remain silent even as people are crushed under rising costs. He said higher fuel prices have increased the burden on farmers, auto drivers, transport operators, and the aqua sector, while also pushing up prices of essential commodities. Farmers are facing losses due to rising harvesting and transportation costs, and consumers are struggling with inflation across sectors. The YSRCP leaders stated that people from border regions are now filling fuel in neighbouring states due to the high prices in Andhra Pradesh, resulting in major revenue loss to the state itself. They alleged that despite the crisis, the government has not conducted even a single serious review on controlling fuel prices over the past two years. They further claimed that the fuel price hike has imposed an additional burden of over ₹3,200 crore annually on the people of Andhra Pradesh. Warning that YSRCP would not remain silent if the prices are not reduced immediately, the leaders reiterated that large-scale protests would be held across all constituency headquarters with participation from various public and trade organisations demanding rollback of the fuel price hike.
