BJP wants other parties to back all-India strike

New Delhi, May 30: The

on Wednesday gave a call to all parties opposed to the unprecedented hike in petrol price to join hands with it in holding an all-India strike on Thursday. BJP President Nitin Gadkari asked parties like

, which also opposed the petrol price hike despite being a UPA ally, and other parties, including NDA allies, to join the

.

"The UPA government has increased petrol prices 18-19 times. Now, even the Rupee has been declining. The situation is deteriorating in such a manner that we have reached the stage where we may have to pledge our gold again. We would like all parties, opposed to the petrol hike, to join our protest," Gadkari told reporters.

The DMK on Wednesday had threatened to pull out from the UPA government over the petrol price hike. However, DMK Chief M Karunanidhi later clarified that the party would oppose the move while staying within UPA.

Meanwhile, the BJP asked its state unit leaders of the party to lead processions and demonstrations in different districts. In Delhi, Narendra Modi's bete noire Sanjay Joshi will lead the protest demonstrations near Akshardham temple. Central leaders will participate in protests in other places. "Party leaders, including MPs, would take part in rallies and also hold public meetings to protest against the anti-people policies and steep hike in prices of essential commodities by the corrupt UPA government in connivance with mafia," BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

PTI