Fuel Price Hike Triggers AP-Wide YSRCP Protests

Responding to the call given by AP former CM and YSRCP supremo YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, leaders, cadre, and supporters of the YSR Congress Party staged massive peaceful protests across Andhra Pradesh on Monday, May18, against the sharp hike in petrol and diesel prices.

Rallies, dharnas, padayatras, and several innovative protest programmes were organised in almost every constituency across the State. Party leaders also submitted memorandums to Collectors, RDOs, and Tahsildars demanding an immediate rollback of the fuel price hike.

YSRCP leaders alleged that the coalition government had betrayed the people after promising to reduce fuel prices before the elections. They said the steep increase in petrol and diesel prices had placed a severe burden on farmers, middle-class families, transport workers, and daily wage earners, while also triggering inflation in essential commodities.

Ambati Rambabu Slams Government in Guntur

In Guntur, former minister Ambati Rambabu led a protest and alleged that Andhra Pradesh now has the highest fuel prices in the country. He criticised Nara Lokesh for allegedly going back on pre-election promises to reduce fuel taxes and sarcastically remarked that “Lokesh is not Love-kesh but Love-Cash.” He warned that the agitation would intensify if fuel prices were not reduced.

Unique Protests in Vijayawada

In Vijayawada West, former minister Velampalli Srinivasa Rao staged a unique protest by pulling an auto-rickshaw with ropes near the Vidyadharapuram Tahsildar office.

Meanwhile, in Vijayawada East, NTR district president Devineni Avinash led a massive rally in which motorcycles were placed on bullock carts to symbolise the burden being imposed on common people. He accused the coalition government of cheating the public after coming to power.

Padayatras and Rickshaw Rallies Across Districts

In Krishna district, Devabhaktuni Chakravarthy organised a padayatra from Tadigadapa to the municipal office.

In Nellore, former minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy along with MLC Chandrasekhar Reddy conducted a rickshaw rally from Barakasu Centre to the Collectorate. Kakani criticised Lokesh for posing for selfies at petrol bunks before the elections but remaining silent now over soaring fuel prices.

Innovative Demonstrations Draw Attention

Several innovative protests were witnessed across the State. In Railway Koduru, former MLA Koramutla Srinivasulu tied autos to buffaloes and held a rally demanding reduction in petrol, diesel, and gas prices.

He alleged that Andhra Pradesh was imposing the highest taxes on fuel in the country, claiming that petrol prices had reached Rs.113.62 per litre and diesel Rs.101.24 per litre due to excessive VAT and cess imposed by the State government.

In Kothapeta, Konaseema district YSRCP president Chirla Jaggireddy rode a cycle rickshaw carrying a motorcycle to protest against the price hike.

In Panyam, former MLA Katasani Ram Bhupal Reddy led a rally by pulling autos and bullock carts with ropes, accusing the coalition government of burdening the public despite promising relief during elections.

Statewide Agitations Intensify

Massive rallies were also organised in Nandyal under the leadership of former MLA Shilpa Ravi Chandra Kishore Reddy and former MP Pocha Brahmananda Reddy, in Udayagiri under Mekapati Rajagopal Reddy, and in Machilipatnam under Perni Kittu, who rode a cycle rickshaw as part of the protest.

In Visakhapatnam, district president K. K. Raju travelled on a bullock cart to the Tahsildar office, while in Pulivendula, YSRCP leaders tied ropes to a Bolero vehicle and pulled it in protest.

Botsa Satyanarayana Demands Rollback

Former minister Botsa Satyanarayana led a major agitation in Cheepurupalli and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the fuel price hike. He said rising fuel costs were breaking the backs of farmers, labourers, and middle-class families already struggling with inflation.

Botsa asserted that the YSRCP, under the leadership of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, would continue to fight relentlessly on public issues affecting the common people.

Protests were also held in Amalapuram, Ongole, Gudivada, Penukonda, Kadapa, Kakinada, Tirupati, Rajampet, Dharmavaram, Puttaparthi, Kadiri, Valmikipuram, Kaikaluru, and several other constituencies across Andhra Pradesh.

At all protest locations, YSRCP leaders and cadre submitted memorandums to officials demanding an immediate rollback of petrol and diesel prices, while accusing the coalition government of betraying public trust after making false election promises.