BJP burns effigies of Odisha CM, demands rollback of VAT 

Odisha Sun Times Bureau:
Bhubaneswar, Dec 26: 

Demanding roll-back of the Odisha government’s decision of increasing the rate of VAT of petrol and diesel prices to 23 per cent from 20 per cent, Opposition BJP today burnt effigies of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here during its 12-hour state-wide agitation.

BJP and its youth wing activists took out a massive rally from Master Canteen Square here to protest the state government’s decision. The activists burnt effigies of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and shouted slogans against the government.

BJP activists also staged demonstrations in district headquarters throughout the state demanding withdrawal of the decision of VAT.

“The price of petrol and diesel have gone up by Rs 1.49 and Rs 1.3 per litre due to increase in the rate of VAT,” BJP state president K V Singhdeo said.

Criticising the BJD government, Singhdeo said BJP’s agitation would continue till state government rolls back its decision to increase rate of VAT on petrol and diesel.

While the Union government has reduced the price of petrol at least six times in last six months, the state government’s decision has led to rise in price of petrol and diesel, senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra said.

BJP’s general secretary Prasanna Mishra, Surama Padhi, Sameer Mohanty, Prithviraj Harichandan, Amiya Das, Dillip Mohanty, Jagannath Pradhan, Harekrushna Khuntia, Santosh Mohanty and Prasanna Das were present in the protest rally.