New Delhi, April 7 : The Delhi t of Congress party on Thursday staged a protest here over soaring prices of essential commodities. Several party workers-led by the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Ch Anil Kumar held the demonstration at the Jantar Mantar here, as part of the party’s ongoing “Mehngai Mukt Bharat” campaign across the country. Speaking on the occasion, the DPCC chief said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pushed the people of the country to the brink of ruin, with his arbitrary decision to hike the prices of petrol, diesel, CNG, cooking gas and G for the past 15 days.” “In the past one month, CNG prices have been hiked nine times for a cumulative total of Rs 12.10, and now a kg of CNG costs Rs 69.11. With increase in fuel prices, the transportation of all goods have gone substantially, creating a cascading impact in the prices of all essential goods,” he said. Attacking the Centre, Kumar said, “The Modi Government has fooled the people by making unrealistic promises before the Assembly elections in five States. As soon as the elections were over, the fuel prices started soaring, which continued unabated despite protests by MPs (Opposition) in Parliament and people across the country.” He further alleged that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind has turned a blind eye for the demand to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel. DS GK