Shimla:
After days of protests by residents and BJP activists along Himachal Pradesh’s border areas and in neighbouring Haryana and Punjab, the political heat reached the state Assembly on Tuesday, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators staged a fierce demonstration against the Congress government’s decision to sharply hike entry tax and impose a cess on petrol and diesel.
Led by former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, BJP MLAs united inside the Assembly premises, accusing the government of burdening the common man with “anti-people” policies. Raising sharp slogans — “Jan-virodhi Mukhyamantri kisne dekha, humne dekha, sabne dekha” — the legislators marched from within the complex up to the main gate in a show of strength.
The protest comes amid growing unrest in border districts, where traders, transporters and daily commuters have already expressed anger over the increased taxes, with ripple effects being reported from adjoining areas of Haryana and Punjab. BJP workers have been holding demonstrations at key entry points, warning of economic fallout and price rise.
Addressing the media at the Assembly gate, the Opposition launched a scathing attack on the Sukhu-led Congress government, alleging that the tax hike would trigger inflation and hit both consumers and businesses hard. They accused the government of ignoring public sentiment and pushing through decisions without adequate consultation.
The BJP signalled that the agitation is likely to intensify in the coming days, both inside and outside the Assembly, as it seeks to corner the government on what it calls a “tax assault” on the people of Himachal Pradesh.
