Amid Bharat bandh, Andhra Pradesh to slash petrol, diesel prices by Rs 2, to be applicable from Tuesday

Amid the nationwide shutdown against the rising fuel prices, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Monday announced a reduction in the prices of petrol and diesel in the state. The prices of petrol and diesel were reduced by Rs 2 each. The new rates will be applicable from Tuesday morning.

Earlier on Sunday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje had slashed value-added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel by four per cent. The reduction in the VAT will cut the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 2.5 per litre in the state.

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The announcement came amid the ‘Bharat bandh’ to protest against the fuel price hike. The bandh called by the Congress was supported by as many as 21 opposition parties.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who returned to New Delhi from his Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, addressed a huge gathering at Delhi’s Ramlila grounds. Speaking at the rally, Gandhi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence over the rising fuel prices and historic depreciation of the Indian rupee – the issues he used to talk about a lot before coming to power.

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"The (Narendra) Modi government has done a number of things that were not in the interest of the nation. The time to change this government will come soon," he said.