NDA gives a call for Bharat Bandh on May 31 against petrol price increase

Reacting sharply to the Rs 7-plus rise in petrol prices, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on on Thursday gave a call for a nation-wide bandh on May 31. In a statement, NDA Chairman L K Advani said all partners of the opposition alliance were consulted in this regard.

Advani said the bandh would be peaceful. The call comes in the wake of the decision by oil marketing companies to increase the price of petrol by Rs 7.58 a litre. .

Advani’s call for a bandh comes in the wake of BJP ally, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s appeal for a united opposition to demand a rollback in the hike. Thackeray asked people to stand together against the move.

"Shiv Sena and NDA will start a nation-wide movement against this hike. Even a call for Bharat Bandh on the issue will be acceptable,” Thackeray said in his party mouthpiece 'Saamana' at Mumbai on Thursday.