Opposition Gangs Up Against Hike In Power Charges

Opposition parties have ganged up against the state government Left and right on the issue of the power tariff hike, and the interminable power cuts. While the indefinite hunger strike by Left-wing parties is in its 3^rd day today; TRS and TDP are being equally vocal on the harm being done to farmers and students preparing for examinations due to the power cuts.

CPI and CPI(M) leaders turned up outside the Legislative assembly blindfolded, with electric wires around their necks, and started a dharna to the cries of "cheekati rajyam, dongala rajyam" (a kingdom of darkness is a kingdom of theives). CPI (M) MLA Julakanti Ranga Reddy joined in with the demand that the issue of the power cuts be tabled in the Assembly.

TRS MLA T Harish Rao had his own bit to add. Talking to reporters at the Assembly's media point, he invited the government to visit Telangana, and see for themselves the damage and the losses accrued the farmers due to the lack of power supply. Accusing the government of turning a blind eye to their suffering, Harish Rao said, "We will not let this continue. We will continue to agitate with the words 'Roll back, or go back!'. We will not stop until the government lifts the burden from the common man, and ensures that the power companies compensate Telangana farmers for theri losses."

Meanwhile, TDP leaders have been trying to have the issue tabled every day, and, last Friday, went so far as to refuse to leave the Assembly premises. They sat in for 12 hours, until they had to be forcibly ejected.