Petrol/diesel crisis: MVA attacks BJP, asks if 'double-engine govt' running out of fuel

Mumbai: Amid LPG and petrol/diesel shortages being felt on the ground in the wake of the ongoing West Asia crisis, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led governments at the Centre and the state saying that the ‘double-engine sarkar’ seems to be running out of fuel.

The opposition cited examples of long queues at petrol stations, a stabbing incident involving a petrol pump worker in Jalgaon, and police in Nagpur running out of fuel while searching for a missing girl.

MVA leaders - Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, former state home minister and NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil and Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut—slammed the BJP.

Raut said: “What's new in it? This was bound to happen...if you are a BJP supporter, just chant 'Jai Shri Ram,' and the price will drop by Rs 10...That is precisely the mantra of the BJP. Chant 'Jai Shri Ram', and you will get everything you want…those who voted for the BJP, they should sit back and relax…chant Jai Shri Ram outside the homes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis…this is their mantra and tantra.”

Raut pointed out that when the BJP was in opposition, their leaders Sushma Swaraj and Smriti Irani protested against the then government.

“People in the state were facing a lack of security and fuel shortage, while taxpayer-funded advertising hoardings continued to shine ahead of elections," Wadettiwar said.

"In Jalgaon, some unidentified persons stabbed a petrol pump worker in the stomach after being told there was no petrol. In Buldhana district, people stood in queues for 12 hours hoping to get petrol."

"At Washim Naka, there were fights over petrol and diesel. In Nagpur, police do not have diesel (for their vehicles) to search for a missing girl. What exactly is going on? Has even the oil in the engines of the double-engine government run out?” Patil asked.