BJP workers in Chennai thrashed a hapless auto driver because of his ‘audacity’ to question the state party chief Tamilisai Soundararajan on the fuel price hike.
Journalist Shabbir Ahmed took to Twitter to write, “Arrogance of #BJP leaders…an auto driver questions TN #BJP Chief #Tamilisai about rising prices of #Petrol & BJP workers trash the auto driver. The auto driver says I expressed my anguish & I was beaten up #VVIPRacism”
Arrogance of #BJP leaders…an auto driver questions TN #BJP Chief #Tamilisai about rising prices of #Petrol & BJP workers trash the auto driver. The auto driver says I expressed my anguish & I was beaten up #VVIPRacism pic.twitter.com/wyYJZnYHTv
— Shabbir Ahmed (@Ahmedshabbir20) September 17, 2018
The incident took place in Saidapet, where Soundararajan was reportedly attending a Ganesh Chaturthi procession, reported Times Now. The victim has been identified as Kathir, who said that he was merely expressing his angst over price hike in fuel price currently prevalent amongst auto drivers.
Controversial BJP leader Soundararajan was speaking to reporters about a controversy related to H Raja, when an auto driver standing in the crowd asked her about the rise in petrol and diesel prices. This left Soundararajan’s supporters seething prompting them to drag the hapless auto driver away and allegedly beat him up.
What was even more astonishing was Soundararajan’s behaviour as she kept smiling at the poor man being dragged by her supporters.
WATCH: BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan in trouble again. While questioned by an auto driver about rise in fuel price hike, Tamilisai not only ignored the question, but was also seen smiling when the man was being dragged away by BJP workers @Ahmedshabbir20 shares more details pic.twitter.com/NDia318uRS
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) September 17, 2018
Kathir said that he had to pay Rs 150 as rent for his auto to the owner and was only able to save Rs 300 after paying for petrol every day. According to him, the money earned by him everyday was inadequate to run his family. Sometimes, he added, he doesn’t have enough money to pay the rent for his auto rickshaw.
Petrol and diesel prices have skyrocketed to reach historic high under the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. Reducing the high fuel prices was one of the key poll promises of Narendra Modi during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.