DMK calls for state-wide protest against petrol price hike

Joining the chorus against the steepest ever hike in petrol price, key United Progressive Alliance partner Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam on Friday announced a state-wide agitation on May 30, demanding a substantial reduction in the increase.

The unprecedented increase of Rs 7.5 per litre of petrol has already sparked "spontaneous" protests by people against the government across the country, the party said.

"The Centre should substantially reduce the petrol price hike, if not roll it back, as the increase would further hit the people already suffering due to inflation and price rise," said the DMK, a major ally of the Congress-led UPA.

Announcing the protest in a release, the party noted that the Centre's action dealt a further blow on the people of Tamil Nadu, who are already facing a hardship due to the hike in the milk price, bus fare and power tariff imposed by the AIADMK government.

Protesting against the central and state governments, the DMK will stage peaceful demonstrations in front of the central government offices and district collectorates in all district headquarters, it said.

The DMK's decision to hold a protest a day ahead of the opposition sponsored Bharat Bandh on May 31 comes amid growing protests against the hike which has also been opposed by Trinamool Congress, another key regional ally of the UPA.