Jalgaon: Poor Turnout Mars NCP-SP Protest Against Fuel Price Hike; Only 18 Workers Attend, Leave After Photo-Op

The NCP-SP appears to be facing a severe shortage of ground-level support in Jalgaon city, as evidenced by a road blockade protest on Wednesday that drew only 18 participants.

The demonstration, organised at Akashwani Chowk, was aimed at protesting the rising prices of petrol and diesel and what the party termed the “anti-people inflation policy” of the Union government. However, the protest ended within ten minutes after a round of photographs was taken, raising questions among city residents about the party’s diminishing activist base.

Led by youth district president Umesh Patil and city district president Riku Chaudhary, the protest was scheduled to highlight the contrast between falling global crude oil prices and stagnant fuel rates in India. Protesters pointed out that the price of crude oil had dipped to $65.41 per barrel – a four-year low – compared to $63.40 per barrel in April 2021.

Despite this, petrol and diesel prices in the country have not been reduced for the past year. Citing data from a credit rating agency, the protesters claimed that oil companies are making record profits – earning Rs 15 to Rs 16 per litre on petrol and Rs 6.12 per litre on diesel – but the benefit has not been passed on to the public. They alleged that the Central Government has been “looting the people” through unchecked fuel pricing.

However, the protest failed to generate any significant public response. With just 18 individuals turning up and the event wrapping up shortly after photo ops, observers questioned the seriousness and support for such agitations by the Sharad Pawar faction in the city.

While the NCP-SP has been organising protests on various issues, it has consistently failed to draw large crowds. Even outside the party’s office, food carts continue to operate in the evenings, with office-bearers reportedly not making efforts to remove them.

Local political watchers say the party has been unsuccessful in expanding its organisational strength in the district. With elections approaching, many believe the faction will require more aggressive and ground-connected leadership to regain political traction in Jalgaon.

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