Left parties block National Highway in Vijayawada protesting fuel and gas price hikes
Left party activists staged a blockade on a busy National Highway in Vijayawada on June 9, 2026, halting traffic for 30 minutes to protest rising prices of petrol, diesel, and cooking gas. The protesters accused central and state governments of excessive taxation on petroleum products, citing figures of ₹40 lakh crore collected by the Centre over 12 years and ₹2.27 lakh crore by Andhra Pradesh. The demonstration reflects ongoing public discontent over fuel costs despite declining global crude oil prices, with leaders warning of intensified protests if government action is not taken.
Left party activists, including representatives from CPI, CPI(M), Liberation, New Democracy, SUCI, MCPI(U), ML, and Red Flag parties, staged a blockade on the National Highway at Krishnalanka in Vijayawada on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, bringing traffic to a halt for approximately 30 minutes. The protest targeted rising prices of petrol, diesel, and domestic cooking gas, with multiple party leaders participating including CPI State Secretary K. Eswaraiah and CPI(M) State Committee Member Ch. Babu Rao. Protesters alleged that the Central Government had collected nearly ₹40 lakh crore in taxes on petroleum products over the past 12 years, while Andhra Pradesh state governments had collected around ₹2.27 lakh crore through VAT and other levies. The Left leaders rejected geopolitical justifications for price hikes, arguing that global crude oil prices have declined compared to 2014 levels, yet domestic fuel prices have risen sharply, placing heavy burdens on households and ordinary citizens. They criticized both the BJP-led Union Government and the NDA coalition in Andhra Pradesh for failing to fulfill promises to reduce fuel taxes and for allegedly favoring corporate interests. The protesters warned of intensified demonstrations if their concerns were not addressed by the governments.
What different sources said
- The HinduCenter
Left parties block NH in Vijayawada over fuel, gas price hikes
Related
Halfway Through 2026 Primary Season: Six Key Takeaways from Congressional Races
Four more states held primaries this week, bringing the total to 26 states that have completed regular congressional primaries in the 2026 midterm cycle. Key patterns emerging include front-runners not always winning, House members struggling to advance to statewide office, and President Trump's endorsement record remaining largely successful despite low approval ratings. These trends are shaping the competitive landscape for the general election.
Congress Struggles to Build Support for $9 Billion Rayburn House Office Building Renovation
The Architect of the Capitol is pushing for a major renovation of the Rayburn House Office Building, which could cost $9 billion and last until 2045, but lawmakers remain hesitant to commit to the project. The building, constructed in 1965, is experiencing serious deterioration including 16 major leaks in the past year alone and risks of catastrophic system failure. The challenge reflects a broader political difficulty: Congress has historically been reluctant to fund its own infrastructure, with legislative branch spending averaging just 0.15 percent of total budget authority since 1976.
Study Finds College Faculty Lean Significantly Left, Raising Questions About Campus Ideological Diversity
A study commissioned by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression found that college faculty donors have an average ideology score of -1.02, comparable to Senator Bernie Sanders's -1.14, indicating strong leftward lean among faculty. The research cross-referenced over 100,000 faculty members with campaign contribution data, and separate surveys found only 20% of faculty believed a conservative scholar would be welcome in their department. The findings raise concerns about ideological diversity in higher education and its potential influence on student political attitudes.