Maya calls for UP bandh over petrol price hike

Criticising the Congress-led UPA government for hiking the price of petrol, BSP chief Mayawati yesterday said the party would observe a day-long bandh in Uttar Pradesh on May 31 to protest the steep hike.

Addressing a meeting of the state's ministers, MPs, MLAs and office bearers, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister asked them to make the masses aware of the anti-people policies of the "insensitive" Central government.

Mayawati said by holding dharnas at all district headquarters in the state, the BSP would begin a nation-wide agitation against the alleged anti-people decisions and flawed economic policy of the UPA government, a press release issued by the party said.

Questioning the timing of latest hike, she said though the international rates of crude oil shot up to $ 120 per barrel in February this year, the price was not increased as Assembly elections were scheduled in five states.

"Now when the prices have come down to $ 99 per barrel, the Central government has increased the price. This proves that the decision is guided by selfish and political motives," she said.

She claimed that had the Centre, which is surrounded by scams, been really sympathetic to the common man, it would have utilised some part of the Rs 4.5 lakh crore it provides to corporate houses to keep petrol prices under control.

"Petrol prices have been hiked 12 times since April 1, 2008 and the prices of diesel and LPG are likely to be hiked soon, adding to the problems of the middle and poor classes," she said.