36 pumps in Mumbai offering Rs 4 discount on petrol today, courtesy Raj Thackeray’s MNS

At least 48 petrol pumps in Maharashtra are selling petrol for Rs 4 less than regular rates, courtesy Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

The discount is being offered as a form of protest by MNS workers against the rising fuel prices in the city. The protest is taking place today, June 14, as it marks the 50th birthday of MNS party chief Raj Thackeray.

Despite the continuous fall in prices over the last two weeks, the price of petrol in the city is still at Rs 84.26 per litre. The Rs 4 discount, which is applicable at 36 pumps in Mumbai alone, takes to price to a much more manageable Rs 80.

Prominent petrol pumps in Dadar (opposite Sena Bhawan), Dahisar, Byculla are among those offering the fuel at subsidized rates today.

MNS had announced the scheme last month for the benefit of the common man. As a result, the offer is only applicable for motorists on two-wheelers, many of whom are taking advantage of the offer and opting for a full tank of petrol.

“The waiver is being offered since 8 am in the morning and will continue till afternoon. Two-wheeler owners will be paying Rs. 4-5 less at selected petrol stations in Maharashtra,” a party worker told ANI.

In select pumps in Mumbai’s Shivadi Assembly Constituency, the party is offering a discount of Rs 9 per litre.

As word about the discount spread, dozens of bikers lined up at each of the pumps.

On @RajThackeray ‘s b’day his followers decided to give Rs 9 discount on Petrol and look what has happened. A sea of bikers at one of Mumbai’s petrol pump. pic.twitter.com/AhbSAGReHh

— Singh Varun (@singhvarun) June 14, 2018

While some appreciated the move, others were less impressed.

“I love the gesture by Raj Thackeray saheb. The common man is suffering due to high fuel price. Other parties only give speeches about doing something, but MNS is the only party that actually took some action,” Anil Kasable, a trader from Dadar, told Local Press Co.

Some, who didn’t know about the discount and only found about it after seeing the long queues, were skeptical about the program’s success.

“People may save a maximum of Rs 40-50 because of this offer. Does Raj Thackeray really think this gimmick may be enough for people to vote for MNS in the next elections? If they are really serious about coming to power again, they will have to do a lot more than this,” said Subhash Jha, a manager at an IT firm.

MNS incentivized the pumps to take part in the program by offering to reimburse them for the losses. The party has stationed workers at each pump to keep a track of the consumption and will pay the difference to pump owners at the end of the day.

Since last month, when oil-marketing companies started hiking prices to make up for the 16-day hiatus during the Karnataka poll campaign, Raj Thackeray has openly criticised the BJP and its leadership for making life difficult for the common man.