Surajya Abhiyan demands strict action against private bus operators for looting the voters

• Private bus operators charge exorbitant fares and create obstacle for Maharashtra voters in exercising their voting right

• Double fare charged to people traveling in buses to their constituencies for voting

Symbolic Photo

Mumbai – Thousands of voters are heading to their constituencies to exercise their voting right as the elections for Maharashtra Assembly are to be held on November 20^th . However, taking advantage of this opportunity, private travel companies have started looting voters by charging exorbitant bus fares. The question is whether the private travel companies are deliberately trying to discourage voters from exercising their voting right. Many citizens have complained to us in this regard. Hence, the Maharashtra State Coordinator of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s ‘Surajya Abhiyan’ Abhishek Murukate, has demanded that the Election Commission should immediately take strict legal action against private travel companies and give relief to the voters.

Mr. Abhishek Murukte, Coordinator, Surajya Abhiyan

In this regard, ‘Surajya Abhiyan’ has demanded a strict action by election commission through a statement and has also provided necessary evidence. After Diwali, the Mumbai- Kolhapur route fares, which were Rs 500 to Rs 700, have been almost doubled to Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,600 for November 19^th and 20^th. Similar loot is happening on online ticketing platforms. Not only from Mumbai to Kolhapur, Ratnagiri or Sambhajinagar, but the fares on many important routes have gone beyond the reach of common citizens. Due to this increase in fares, the voters are facing financial difficulties to go to their constituencies to vote, said Murukute.

Stop unethical fare increase immediately

Voting is a fundamental right of every citizen. Fare hike by private bus owners and travel agents is a form of depriving the voters of their democratic rights, which will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The issues must be resolved at the earliest, unethical fare increase must stop and voters must be assured of reaching their constituencies for voting, demanded Murukate.

#MaharashtraElections | #Vote2024#BreakingNews | #WATCH

🚨 ATTENTION : @ECISVEEP @MaharashtraSEC @CEO_Maharashtra

🔥 Voters face the heat of excess fare : Private Travel Operators’ Hindering Voting Rights in #Maharashtra

💥 Bus Fares from ₹500 – ₹700 hiked to as high as… https://t.co/OtVRM64Fxe pic.twitter.com/dHoOwFrIHs

— Surajya Abhiyan (@SurajyaCampaign) November 19, 2024

Editorial Perspective

This anti-democratic act by profiteering private bus operators is disgraceful. The administration and Government do not take any action against bus fare hikes during Hindu festivals. The nationalist citizens expect that at least now, strict action should be taken.