The government, which on Wednesday allowed a huge hike of Rs. 6.28 a litre exclusive of taxes in the price of petrol, is under attack. From Opposition parties and allies alike. We take a look at what the big political players had to say about the price hike.
Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister: "The decision has been taken. Petrol is a deregulated commodity."
Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal and chief of Trinamool Congress: "It is unjust and unilateral. It was done without our knowledge...Parliament was in session till yesterday. Why was this not brought up and discussed in Parliament?"
Mulayam Singh Yadav, chief of Samajwadi Party: "We demand immediate roll back of the petrol price hike. The decision is anti-people. UPA government has given this gift to the common man on completion of its three years' rule." The statement was issued by SP spokesman Rajendra Chowdhury.
Narendra Modi, Gujarat Chief Minister: "This decision to hike petrol prices taken a day after the ending of Parliament session is a stinging rebuke to the dignity of Parliament."
J Jayalalithaa, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK chief: “The hike of Rs. 7.50 will affect the poor and the middle class. This is a gift given to the people by the UPA coalition government on its completion of three years in office.”
Parkash Badal, Punjab Chief Minister and Akali Dal chief: The hike is totally unjustified. We demand its immediate roll back. The hike would unleash fresh inflationary trends, jack up prices of all essential commodities and break the back of the common man.
D Raja, Left leader: "They have failed to manage the fiscal and the monetary situation in the economy. They will not stop here, this is just a prelude. They will hike the prices of diesel and other petroleum products. We will protest on the streets and they will have to roll back the prices."
