The Congress and CPI(M) in Kerala today strongly protested the hike in railway passenger fares and freight rates and demanded that it be rolled back.
Reacting to the hike, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said it is the beginning of many severe measures of the NDA government
"It is the beginning of many severe measures of the NDA government, which the Prime Minister had pointed out a few days back" he told reporters.
CPI(M) leader V S Achuthanandan termed the hike as a "challenge" on the people and said it would adversely affect Kerala as major food items come by rail from neighbouring states and charged the BJP government at the Centre with following the same policies of previous UPA government.
He also said there should be protests across the country against the rail fare hike.
