Diesel hike:Allies,Oppn demand rollback, protests across India

Badgered from all sides, the Congress on its part said tough measures are required for growth and appealed to opposition parties to understand the situation, asking them not to do "politics" on everything.

Describing the Rs 5.62 hike announced last night as a "gigantic fraud", the Left parties decided to hold nationwide protests while targeting Trinamool Congress for its "double standards" on the issue.

The cap on supply of subsidised LPG to 6 cylinders per household in a year also evoked strong reactions with BJP leader Sushma Swaraj saying the government has "demolished" the kitchen of a lady who is to manage the house. Slogan- shouting protesters carried empty LPG cylinders on their heads and took out rallies in several cities.

Demanding at least a partial rollback in the diesel price hike, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the Congress-led UDF Government in the state would forgo the additional tax revenue that will accrue to the exchequer on account of the increase.

Demanding a rollback, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool boss Mamata Banerjee said her government was willing to provide 'full relief' to common people and farmers if the Centre allowed the state to collect taxes taken away by it.

DMK, a key ally of UPA, said it was not consulted by the Centre on the diesel price hike and insisted on its rollback.

Pressing for a rollback, BJP's Rajiv Pratap Rudy said Government has unleashed a "financial terror" on the common man.

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, whose party supports the UPA, said the government's decision was "unfortunate" and sought its reconsideration while BSP chief Mayawati demanded immediate rollback of the "anti-people decision".

Terming the step as "undemocratic", Samajwadi Party general secretary Naresh Agarwal, whose party is supporting the UPA government from outside, said if need be his party will not hesitate to take any kind of stern steps. "We will oppose this hike and take to the streets," he said.

BJP workers burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and blocked roads in various parts of West Bengal while Youth outfits of CPI(M), CPI and BJP took out protest marches in Kerala.