On the backdrop of rising petrol prices, the Maharashtra Congress leader , Nana Patole took an aggressive stand against celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar who had once been critical of the Central government over fuel prices but are now silent even though the rates have only shot up higher than ever before.
Maharashtra Congress chief warned the celebrities to speak up over the fuel price hike, otherwise screening of their films and shootings would not be allowed in the state.
“Why are they silent now on the rising petrol and diesel prices”? Patole questioned the silence of Bollywood stars Bachchan and Kumar, who had tweeted about fuel price rise during the previous UPA government, but are now silent on the issue.
Patole said the common man has been affected a lot by the increase in prices of petrol and diesel.
“If they do not take a stand now on the injustice meted out by the Modi government, we will not let any films (screening) or shootings of Amitabh Bachchan or Akshay Kumar in Maharashtra,” the Congress leader said.
They should now play the same role and protest against the central government’s “anti-national policy”, as they did during Manmohan Singh’s tenure, Patole said.
The prices of branded or additive-laced petrol, which attracts higher taxes, have crossed the Rs 100-mark in some places, including Maharashtra. In Mumbai, petrol is now costing Rs 96.32 a litre and diesel Rs 87.32.
