MNS 'subsidises' fuel to protest hike in prices

Mumbai: To commemorate the 50th birthday of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and register its protest against rising fuel prices, the party offered refuelling of petrol to two-wheelers at 48 pumps across the state at '4 per litre less than the market rate on Thursday.

Out of these, 36 pumps were in the city. Taking advantage of the offer, a large number of two-wheelers lined up for filling up the discounted fuel at participating pumps. The pumps that were part of the programme were assured of reimbursement of the subsidised amount by MNS to ensure success of this protest.

According to an MNS spokesperson, the discounted fuel was being given as a
sign of protest and was akin to the salt satyagraha and people were not lining up to avail of the discount but to register their angst and pain against the rising fuel prices.

On his part, Mr Thackeray also made his intention’s clear with regards to the 2019 Legislative Assembly elections by cutting a birthday cake designed like an electronic voting machine at his residence in Dadar on Thursday.

According to sources, apart from the discount of '4, some petrol pumps in the state had also offered a discount of '9 per litre of petrol, however, the same could not be confirmed from party sources.