Fuel price hike not endorsed by Left: Karat

Kottayam, Feb 14 (UNI) CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat today came down heavily on the UPA Government for hiking fuel prices, without 'considering' the demand of the Left Parties against it.

Addressing a public meeting held at Nehru Stadium on the concluding session of the party State Conference, Mr Karat said they (the Left) had advised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, last week, not to increase the prices. ''But without considering our request, the government increased the price.'' ''The rise in fuel price will indirectly cause price hike of essential commodities, '' he noted.

The CPI (M) would stage country-wide struggle, with the support of other secular parties, against the decision, the Marxist leader said.

Referring to Congress-led Opposition UDF's call for a hartal on February 19 in protest against price rise in essential commodities, he said the venue should be 'better' changed to New Delhi, so that the Left parties also could join the protest.

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