BJP Stages Protests Against AAP's Power Tariff Hike in Delhi

BJP leaders and workers staged a protest against the AAP government near the Delhi Secretariat opposing the power tariff hike. They accused Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of increasing the Power Purchase Adjustment Charge (PPAC) for political gain, leading to financial distress for Delhi residents. Protesters were briefly detained by police.

BJP leaders and workers on Friday staged a vocal protest near the Delhi Secretariat, opposing the AAP government's recent power tariff hike.

Accompanied by representatives from various Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs), BJP workers burnt copies of electricity bills, demanding a rollback of the increased Power Purchase Adjustment Charge (PPAC).

During the protest, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva criticized the Kejriwal government for raising PPAC without affecting the per-unit cost of electricity. He claimed PPAC has surged from 1.7% in 2015 to 46% under Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's tenure.

Sachdeva also noted that meter charges and load surcharge have tripled over the past decade.

PPAC, a surcharge meant to cover fluctuations in power purchase costs borne by discoms, saw an increase of 6.15% to 8.75% this year.

Key BJP figures, including MPs Yogendra Chandolia and Kamaljeet Sehrawat, former MP Ramesh Bidhuri, party unit general secretary Vishnu Mittal, and several MLAs participated in the protest, highlighting the financial distress faced by Delhi residents due to the increased tariffs.

Protesters attempted to march towards the Delhi Secretariat from Shaheedi Park at ITO but were stopped by police, leading to the brief detention of some, including Sachdeva. They were later released with a warning.

Power Minister Atishi previously alleged that the BJP was spreading misinformation regarding the hike in electricity charges.