UNPA to 'Gherao' Parliament on petroleum price hike

Mumbai, Feb 16 (UNI) Threatening to launch a mass movement against the hike in petrol and diesel prices by the UPA government, Samjawadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh here today said United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) would ''Gherao'' the Parliament on February 26-27 on the issue.

Flaying the Manmohan Singh government for the move, Mr Singh said the hike would have a direct bearing on the common man, who is already reeling under the ''imperialistic economic policies of the Congress-led UPA colaition at the Centre''.

''This is the seventh time in the last four years, after the UPA government has come to power, that the prices of petrol and diesel have been hiked. We are not going to take it lying down, and will protest against the decision during the Budget Session of Parliament, which begins on February 25,'' Mr Singh said.

Mr Singh said it was ironical that both the Prime Minister and Finance Minister are more concerned about the sensex than the man on the street.

He stated that his non-Congress, non-BJP conglomeration was also trying to rope in the Left parties in its protest, adding that the party state and city unit will also organise a ''dharna'' at the Azad Maidan on the issue on February 18.

Coming down heavily on Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, the SP leader alleged that the Maratha strongman was ready to pay hefty prices for the ''rotten'' imported wheat from Australia but he had no consideration for the domestic peasant, who is burdened with huge loans and was being forced to commit suicide.

MORE UNI IAS RN AKJ RN1851