AICC general secretary KC Venugopal speaks at the venue of the hunger strike in front of the secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram by the Mahila Congress on Tuesday, protesting against the rising prices of essential commodities under the LDF government. | Photo credit: JAYAMOHAN A.
Speaking at the end of the two-day fast and dharna organized by Mahila Congress workers in front of the Secretariat to highlight the issue of price hike, he said sticking to the price line and ensuring that prices of essential commodities do not derail the lives and aspirations of families should be the prime responsibility of any government committed to the people.
Market interventions through Civil Supplies Corporation and offering essential goods at subsidized rates were a major activity when Oommen Chandy was Prime Minister.
In contrast, any mention of price hike is now treated as an insult to the government and the person who raises it is targeted, Mr. Venugopal alleged.
He said the price of everything from LPG to coconut oil has increased several times over the past decade and this has hurt consumers a lot.
He alleged that the Civil Supplies Department was being weakened by the government on a daily basis, while the government’s priority seems to be extending bar hours and launching new liquor brands like ‘Minnal Magic’ – something unthinkable from a government that claims to support the middle class, Mr Venugopal said.
The dharna was led by Jebi Mather, Member of Parliament
Published – Feb 24, 2026 7:37 PM IST
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